Bones of the skull:
I. Bones of the neurocranium:
1. Parietal bone (os parietale)
2. Tempotal bone (os temporale)
3. Occipital bone (os occipitale)
4. Sphenoidal bone (os sphenoidale)
5. Frontal bone (os frontale)
Parietal bone:
Sutures:
1. Lambdoid suture: between occipital squama and parietal bones.
2. Coronal suture: between parietal bones and frontal bone.
3. Squamous suture: between squamous part of the temporal bone and the
parietal bone on both sides.
4. Sagittal suture: between parietal bones.
Items of the internal (cranial) surface:
Sulcus for superior sagittal sinus (Sulcus sinus sagittalis superioris): It
contains the superior sagittal sinus (venous sinus) and continues on the frontal
and occipital bones.
Foveolae granulares: irregular depressions along the sulcus for superior sagittal
sinus containing the arachnoid granulations (small processes of the arachnoid
involved in the drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid.)
Sulci arteriosi: they contain branches of the meningeal arteries and continue on
the frontal and temporal bones.
Item of the external surface:
Tuber parietale: ossification centre in the embryonic life
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Temporal bone:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Includes the bony parts of the external, middle and internal ears.
Forms the articular cavity of the temporomandibular joint.
Takes part in the formation of the zygomatic arch.
Takes part in the formation of the base and the lateral wall of the skull.
Contains the carotid canal and facial canal.
It developes from 4 parts:
1. Squamous part
2. Petrous part (pyramid and mastoid part)
3. Tympanic part
4. Hyoid part ( derives from the post. part of the II. pharyngeal arch)
Items of the pars squamosa:
 Mandibular fossa (Fossa mandibularis): articular cavity of the
temporomandibular joint
 Articular tubercle (Tuberculum articulare): an elevation anterior to
mandibular fossa which is covered by cartilage.It plays a role in the
movements of temporomandibular joint.
 Zygomatic process: it joins the zygomatic bone to form the zygomatic arch.
Parts of the pars petrosa:
A. Pyramid
B. Pars mastoidea
A. Parts of the Pyramid:
1. Base: it takes part in the formation of the lateral wall of the skull and gives
rise to the pars mastoidea.
2. Apex: takes part in the formation of the base of the skull extending to the
body of the sphenoid bone.
3. Anterior surface:
 Trigeminal impression (Meckel’s fossa): located at the apex and contains
the Gasserian ganglion (trigeminal ganglion) enclosed in a dural sac.
 Hiatus of the canal of the greater petrosal nerve (hiatus canalis nervi
petrosi majoris): opening of the canal of the greater petrosal nerve. The
continuation of the canal is the sulcus of the greater petrosal nerve on the
anterior surface of the petrous bone.The greater petrosal nerve is the first
branch of the facial nerve that carries autonomic, preganglionic fibers to the
pterygopalatine ganglion.
 Hiatus of the canal of the lesser petrosal nerve (hiatus canalis nervi
petrosi minoris): opening of the canal of the lesser petrosal nerve ( from
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4.
glossopharyngeal nerve). Lesser petrosal nerve carries preganglionic fibers to
the otic ganglion.
Sulcus of the greater petrosal nerve (sulcus nervi petrosi majoris): it
extends to the foramen lacerum behind and parallel to the sulcus of the lesser
petrosal nerve.
Sulcus of the lesser petrosal nerve: it extends to the foramen lacerum,
where the lesser petrosal nerve leaves the cranial cavity.
Sphenopetrosal synchondrosis:
Fibrocartilaginous joint between the greater wing of the spenoid bone and the
petrous bone.
Foramen lacerum: irregular opening at the apex of the petrous bone filled
with fibrous cartilage through which the greater and lesser petrosal nerves
leave the cranial cavity.A short portion of the internal carotid artery lies on
the cartilage filling the foramen lacerum.
Eminentia arcuata: small, round elevation formed by one of the
semicircular canals in the internal ear.
Tegmen tympani: roof of the tympanic cavity, found anterolaterally to the
arcuate eminence.
Posterior surface:
 Porus acousticus internus: opening of the meatus acusticus internus to
the posterior cranial fossa
 Internal acustic meatus (meatus acousticus internus): connects the
posterior cranial fossa with the internal ear.
It contains:
 Vestibulocochlear nerve
 Facial nerve (its canal originates from the fundus of the meatus)
 Labyrinthine artery ( branch of the basilar artery supplying the internal
ear)
 Vestibular ganglion of Scarpa (sensory ganglion of the vestibular
nerve)
 External aperture of the vestibular aqueduct (apertura externa
aqueductus vestibuli):
 Contains perilymph and the endolymphatic duct.
 It is found laterally to the porus acousticus internus near to the arcuate
eminence.
 Arises from the vestibule of the internal ear and opens into the
posterior cranial fossa.
 It is involved in the drainage of the excess of the perilymph and
endolymph from the internal ear probably to the cerebrospinal
circulation or the venous circulation.
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 Sulcus of the superior petrosal sinus:
Lies along the superior margin of petrous bone containing the superior
petrous sinus.
 Sulcus of the inferior petrosal sinus:
It lies over the petrooccipital synchondrosis and contains the inferior petrosal
sinus.
5. Inferior surface:
 Styloid process / Processus styloideus (pars hyoidea):
Long slender process between the petrous and tympanic parts for the
attachment of muscles and ligaments.
 Stylomastoid foramen (Foramen stylomastoideum):
External opening of the facial canal between the styloid and mastoid
processes through which the facial nerve leaves the skull.
 Jugular fossa (Fossa jugularis): it’s found beside the jugular foramen
containing the upper bulb of the internal jugular vein.
 Jugular notch (incisura jugularis):
 It is divided into two parts by the intrajugular process.
 It forms the number „8”-shaped jugular foramen with the jugular
notch of the occipital bone. The anteromedial smaller part of the
jugular foramen contains the IX., X., XI. cranial nerves, and the
superior sensory ganglia of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.
The posterolateral larger part of the foramen contains the internal
jugular vein.
 Carotid canal (canalis caroticus):
 Bony canal of the internal carotid artery.
 Its external opening is located anteromedially to the jugular fossa.
 Gives rise to the caroticotympanic canals which open into the
tympanic cavity.
 Fossula petrosa:
Small depression between the jugular fossa and opening of the carotid canal
containing the petrous ganglion (inferior sensory ganglion of the IX. cranial
nerve) and the external opening of the tympanic canaliculus (tympanic nerve
from IX. nerve)
The external aperture of the cochlear aequeduct is located between fossula
petrosa and jugular fossa. The cochlear duct drains perilymph from the internal
ear.
B.Pars mastoidea:
 Mastoid process (processus mastoideus): contains the mastoid air-cells
(cellulae mastoideae) communicating with the tympanic cavity.
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 Sulcus for the sigmoid sinus (Sulcus sinus sigmoidei): ends at the
jugular foramen where the internal jugular vein starts as direct
continuation of the sigmoid sinus.
Pars tympanica:
 Meatus acousticus externus: bony part of the ext. acoustic meatus (it
joins the cartilaginous part of the ext. acoustic meatus, its internal opening
is closed by the tympanic membrane)
 Porus acousticus externus ( external opening of the bony external
acoustic meatus)
 Petrotympanic fissure (Glasers’s fissure)
Deep fissure between the petrous and tympanic parts leading into the tympanic
cavity. It contains the chorda tympani (facial nerve) leaving the tympanic cavity
and entering the infratemporal fossa. Anterior to the petrotympanic fissure the
petrosquamous fissure is found that leads into the cranial cavity.
Canals of the temporal bone:
 Facial canal (canalis facialis): it has 3 portions:
1. portion: perpendicular to the axis of the pyramid
2. portion: parallel to the axis of the pyramid
3. portion: perpendicular to the first two portions, runs vertically and ends
with the stylomastoid foramen.
At the junction of the 1. and 2. portions there is the external geniculum of the
facial nerve containing the geniculate ganglion and the origination of the
greater petrosal nerve from the facial nerve. From the third portion arises the
canal of the chorda tympani.
 Carotid canal (canalis caroticus): contains the internal carotid artery
and the aortic sympathetic nerve plexus
 Caroticotympanic canaliculi (canaliculi caroticotympanici): contains
small branches of the int. carotid a. and sympathetic nerves to supply the
tympanic cavity.
 Tympanic canaliculus (canaliculus tympanicus): contains the tympanic
nerve (first branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve and its continuation is
the lesser petrosal nerve). It opens into the tympanic cavity.
 Canal of the greater petrosal nerve (canalis nervi petrosi majoris):
arises from the facial canal.
 Canal of the lesser petrosal nerve (canalis nervi petrosi minoris):
arises from the tympanic cavity.
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 Canaliculus of the chorda tympani (canaliculus chordae tympani):
arises from the facial canal and opens into the tympanic cavity through its
posterior wall.
 Canalis musculotubarius:
- Opens into the tympanic cavity through its anterior wall
- Contains the tensor tympani muscle in its upper part, and the bony
auditory tube in its lower part.
- Its anteromedial continuation is the sulcus of the auditory tube
containing the cartilaginous part of the tube.
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Occipital bone (os occipitale):
unpaired bone that is partly
involved in the formation of the base of the skull.Its parts surround the
foramen magnum.
 Foramen magnum: contains the junction of the spinal cord and
with the medulla oblongata, vertebral arteries, spinal arteries,
vertebral venous plexus, spinal root of the accessory nerve.
Parts:
Pars basilaris:
 Clivus: the brainstem rests on it.
 Pharyngeal tubercle (Tuberculum pharyngeum): point of the
superior constrictor pharyngis muscle attachment.
 Sulcus for the inferior petrosal sinus (Sulcus sinus petrosi
inferioris): it rests on the petrooccipital synchondrosis.
 Sphenooccipital
synchondrosis
(Synchondrosis
sphenooccipitalis): cartilaginous joint between the body of
sphenoid bone and basilar part of the occipital bone that ossifies
after the age of 18. (synostosis)
 Petrooccipital synchondrosis (Synchondrosis petrooccipitalis):
permanent cartilaginous joint between petrous part of temporal
bone and the occipital bone.
Partes laterales:
 Jugular tubercle (Tuberculum jugulare): an elevation just
above the hypoglossal canal.
 Hypoglossal canal (Canalis hypoglossi): contains the
hypoglossal nerve.
 Jugular notch (Incisura jugularis): It is divided into two parts
by the intrajugular process.
 It forms the number „8”-shaped jugular foramen with the
jugular notch of the petrous bone. The anteromedial smaller part
of the jugular foramen contains the IX., X., XI. cranial nerves,
and the superior sensory ganglia of the glossopharyngeal and
vagus nerves. The posterolateral larger part of the foramen
contains the internal jugular vein.
 Sulcus for the sigmoid sinus (Sulcus sinus sigmoidei): contains
the sigmoid sinus that extends to the jugular foramen.
 Condylar fossa (Fossa condyloidea): a depression behind the
occipital condyles into which there usually opens a condylar
canal that transmits a vein.
 Occipital condyles (Condyli occipitales): represent the articular
surface of atlantooccipital joints.
Squama occipitalis:
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 External occipital protuberance (Protuberantia occipitalis
externa): a projection on the posterior surface of the occipital
squama.
 Internal occipitalis protuberance (Protuberantia occipitalis
interna): a projection on the internal surface of the occipital
squama.
 External occipital crest (Crista occipitalis externa): a ridge
extending downward in the midline from the external occipital
protuberance.
 Internal occipital crest (Crista occipitalis interna): a ridge
extending downward in the midline from the internal occipital
protuberance.
 Sulcus for the superior sagittal sinus (Sulcus sinus sagittalis
superioris)
 Sulcus for the transverse sinus (Sulcus sinus tansversi)
 Sulcus for the sigmoid sinus (Sulcus sinus sigmoidei)
 Cerebellar fossa (Fossa cerebellaris): accommodates the
cerebellar hemispheres.
 Cerebral fossa (Fossa cerebralis): contains the occipital lobes.
 Lineae nuchae suprema, superior, inferior: points of
trapezius, semispinalis and deep nuchal muscle attachments.
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Sphenoid bone (os sphenoidale): unpaired bone resembling a
flying bat. It’s involved in the formation of both the base of the skull and
viscerocranium.
Parts:
1.Body: encloses the sphenoid sinus (one of the paranasal sinuses)
Ant. surface:
 Aperture of the sphenoid sinus (Apertura sinus sphenoidalis):
opens into the nasal cavity.
Inferior surface: gives rise to the pterygoid process and borders the
choanae.
Posterior surface:
 Synchondrosis sphenooccipitalis: cartilaginous joint (in adult
it becomes synostosis) between the posterior surface of the body
and basilar part of the occipital bone, forming the clivus.
Lateral surfaces:gives rise to the greater wing.
 Carotid sulcus (Sulcus caroticus): contains the internal carotid
artery after leaving the carotid canal.
Superior surface:gives rise to the lesser wing, and forms the sella turcica.
 Chiasmatic sulcus(Sulcus chiasmatis): the optic chiasm rests
just above it.
 Tuberculum sellae: anterior border of the hypophysial fossa
 Fossa hypophysealis: contains the hypophysis.
 Dorsum sellae: posterior border of the hypophysial fossa
 Anterior clinoid process (Processus clinoideus anterior): bony
process fixing the sellar diaphragm anteriorly.
 Middle clinoid process (Processus clinoideus medius) bony
process fixing the sellar diaphragm laterally.
 Posterior clinoid process (Processus clinoideus posterior) bony
process fixing the sellar diaphragm posteriory.
Ala minor:
Optic canal (Canalis opticus): contains the optic nerve and the
ophthalmic artery.
Fissura orbitalis superior (its upper border is the ala minor): contains
the oculomotor, trochlear, ophthalmic and abducent nerves,
superiorophthalmic vein.
Greater wing (Ala major):
 Cerebral surface (Facies cerebralis): involved in the formation
of the middle cranial fossa.
 Temporal surface (Facies temporalis): involved in the
formation of the temporal fossa.
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
Infratemporal surface (Facies infratemporalis) involved in the
formation of the infratemporal fossa.
 Infratemporal crest (Crista infratemporalis): a ridge separating
the temporal fossa from the infratemporal one.
 Orbital surface (Facies orbitalis): involved in the formation of
the lateral wall of the orbit.
 Maxillary surface (Facies maxillaris): faces the pterygopalatine
fossa, the foramen rotundum visible on it.
 Foramen rotundum: leads to the pterygopalatine fossa,
contains the maxillary nerve.
 Foramen ovale: opens into the infratemporal fossa, contains the
mandibular nerve.
 Foramen spinosum: opens into the infratemporal fossa, the
middle meningeal artery passes through it from the
infratemporal to the middle cranial fossa.
 Superior orbital fissure (Fissura orbitalis superior): its lower
border is the ala major.
 Inferior orbital fissure (Fissura orbitalis inferior): formed by
the geater wing and orbital surface of the maxilla, connects the
orbit with the infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae.Items:
zygomatic and infraorbital nerves, infraorbital vessels, inferior
ophthalmic vein.
Pterygoid process (Processus pterygoideus):
o Medial and lateral pterygoid plates (Lamina medialis et
lateralis processus pterygoidei)
o Fossa pterygoidea: depression between the medial and lateral
pterygoid plates for the origination of the medial pterygoideus
muscle.
o Fossa scaphoidea: contains partly the origination of the tensor
veli palatini muscle and the pharyngeal ostium of the auditory
tube.
o Vidian canal (Canalis pterygoideus Vidii): connects the external
surface of the base of the skull with the pterygopalatine
fossa.Items: Vidian neve (consists of the greater and deep
petrosal nerves)
o Pterygoid hamulus (Hamulus pterygoideus): hooklike process
of the medial pterygoid plate.
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Frontal bone (os frontale):
unpaired bone involves in the
formation of the forehead and anterior part of the base of the skull.
Parts:
Squama frontalis:
 Coronal suture (Sutura coronalis): between the two parietal bones
and the frontal bone.
 Temporal surface (Facies temporalis): it takes part in the
formation of the temporal fossa.
 Zygomatic process (Processus zygomaticus): connects with the
zygomatic bone.
 Frontal tuber (Tuber frontale): ossification centre in the
embryonic life.
 Supraorbital margin (Margo supraorbitalis): superior border of
the aditus orbitae.
 Superciliary arch (Arcus superciliaris): bony ridge just above and
paralleling the supraorbital margin.
 Glabella: very slight protuberance between the superciliary arches.
 Supraorbital foramen (Foramen supraorbitale / incisura
supraorbitalis): opening or notch on the inner third of the
supraorbital margin containing the supraorbital vessels and nerve.
 Frontal notch (Incisura frontalis / foramen frontale): notch or
foramen on the inner third of the supraorbital margin medially to
the supraorbital foramen containing the frontal vessels and nerve.
 Frontal crest (Crista frontalis): bony ridge on the inner surface of
the squama for the fixation of the cerebral falx.
 Foramen cecum: blind opening at the root of the frontal crest , but
in childhood an emissary vein passes through it.
 Groove for the superior sagittal sinus (Sulcus sinus sagittalis
superioris): contains a potion of the superior sagittal sinus.
 Grooves of the anterior meningeal artery (Sulcus arteriae
meningeae anterioris): they contain the branches of the anterior
meningeal artery.
Orbital parts (Partes orbitales): form a part of the roof of the orbit.
 Ethmoidal notch (Incisura ethmoidalis): a notch separating the two
orbital parts.
 Ethmoidal foveolae (Foveolae ethmoidales): small depressions
along the two sides of the ethmoidal notch that take part in the
formation of some ethmoidal air-cells.
 Anterior and posterior ethmoidal foramina (Foramina
ethmoidalia anterius et posterius): openings of the anterior and
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posterior ethmoidal canals at the junction of the orbital part of the
frontal bone and the orbital lamina of the ethmoidal bone,
containing the ant. and post. ethmoidal vessels and nerves.
 Fossa of the lacrimal gland (Fossa glandulae lacrimalis): contains
the lacrimal gland.
 Trochlear spine (Spina trochlearis): small bony hook for the
attachment of the tendon of the superior obliquus bulbi muscle.
 Impressiones digitatae: they are visible on the cerebral surface and
the frontal gyri lie in them.
 Juga cerebralia: small elevations having the sulci separating the
frontal gyri just lying on them.
Nasal part(Pars nasalis):connects anteriorly the two orbital parts.
 Nasal spine (Spina nasalis): small bony spine connecting with the
nasal bones.
 Frontal sinus (Sinus frontalis): paranasal sinus in the squama,
having its opening on the two sides of the nasal spine
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Bones of the viscerocranium:
1.Os ethmoidale: unpaired bone inserted into the ethmoidal notch of
the frontal bone. Main parts: perpendicular plate, cribriform plate, ethmoidal
labyrinth.
Perpendicular plate (Lamina perpendicularis): bony lamina
projecting downward forming the upper portion of the nasal
septum.
 Crista galli: it is the process of the perpendicular plate
projecting upward into the cranial cavity for attachment of
cerebral falx.
Cribriform plate (Lamina cribrosa): horizontal bony lamina
between the nasal cavity and the anterior cranial fossa. It is
perforated for the passage of olfactory fibers, anterior ethmoidal
vessels and nerve.
Ethmoidal labyrinth (Labyrinthus ethmoidalis) /Ethmoidal
air-cells (Cellulae ethmoidales): they are located between the
orbit and nasal cavity, belong to the paranasal sinuses and open into
the nasal cavity.They are divided anterior, middle and posterior
groups of the air-cells.
 Orbital lamina (Lamina orbitalis / lamina papyracea): it is a
very thin bony lamina closing the ethmoidal labyrinth on the
orbital side.
 Anterior and posterior ethmoidal canals (Canales
ethmoidales anterior et posterior): they are formed by the frontal
bone and the orbital lamina, containing the anterior and
posterior ethmoidal vessels and nerves.
 Superior nasal concha (Concha nasalis superior): bony process
projecting into the nasal cavity and closing the posterior
ethmoidal air-cells on their nasal side. Below the superior nasal
concha the superior nasal meatus is located.
 Middle nasal concha (Concha nasalis media): bony process
projecting into the nasal cavity below the superior nasal concha
and meatus, and closing the anterior ethmoidal air-cells on their
nasal side. Below the middle nasal concha the middle nasal
meatus is located.
 Ethmoidal bulla (Bulla ethmoidalis): largest anterior ethmoidal
air-cell above the semilunar hiatus.
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 Uncinate process (Processus uncinatus): hooklike process
directed backward and downward almost wholly concealed by
the middle nasal concha. It partially closes the semilunar hiatus.
 Semilunar hiatus (Hiatus semilunaris): semilunar opening
bordered superiorly by the ethmoidal bulla and inferiorly by the
uncinate process through which the the frontal sinus, anterior
and middle ethmoidal air-cells and maxillary sinus open into
the middle nasal meatus.
 Ethmoidal infundibulum (Infundibulum ethmoidale):funnelshaped canal passing through the ethmoidal labyrinth extending
from frontal sinus to semilunar hiatus.
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2. Maxilla: upper jaw
I.Corpus maxillae: the central portion of the maxillary bone containing the
maxillary sinus. It has 4 surfaces:
Facies anterior/facial surface:
 Infraorbital margin (Margo infraorbitalis): inferior border of
the orbit formed by the maxilla.
 Infraorbital foramen (Foramen infraorbitale): opening of
infraorbital canal containing the infraorbital nerve and
accompanying artery. Pressure point for the maxillary division
of the trigeminal nerve.
 Infraorbital canal (canalis infraorbitalis): for the infraorbital
artery and nerve. It gives rise canalicules containing nerves
supplying the anterior-superior teeth.
 Canine fossa (Fossa canina): depression below the infraorbital
foramen for origin of the levator anguli oris muscle (facial
muscle).
Orbital surface (Facies orbitalis / superior):forms part of the orbital floor
 Inferior orbital fissure (Fissura orbitalis inferior): between
greater wing of sphenoid bone and orbital surface of the maxilla
for passage of the zygomatic and infraorbital nerves and vessels.
 Infraorbital sulcus(Sulcus infraorbitalis): groove at the
beginning of the infraorbital canal. Canalicules originating from
infraorbital sulcus contain nerves supplying the middle-superior
teeth.
Infratemporal surface (Facies infratemporalis/ posterior): posterior
surface of maxilla behind the zygomatic process.
 Tuberosity of maxilla (Tuber maxillae): thin-walled
prominence on the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus.
 Alveolar foramina (Foramina alveolaria): small openings in the
infratemporal surface for branches of the posterior superior
alveolar artery and nerve.
 Alveolar canals (Canales alveolares): canals from the alveolar
foramina for branches of the posterior superior alveolar artery
and nerves.
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Nasal surface (Facies nasalis):medial surface of maxilla forming part of
the lateral nasal wall.
 Maxillary hiatus (Hiatus maxillaris) (sinus maxillaris /
Highmore sinus: large opening in the medial wall of maxillary
sinus
 Lacrimal sulcus (sulcus lacrimalis): groove for the nasolacrimal
duct.
 Conchal crest (crista conchalis): nearly horizontal ridge for
attachment of the inferior nasal concha.
 Greater palatine sulcus ( sulcus palatinus major): groove along
the posterior border of maxilla which, with the greater palatine
sulcus of the palatine bone, forms the greater palatine canal for
the greater palatine nerve and descending palatine artery.
II.Frontal process (Processus frontalis):
 Anterior lacrimal crest (Crista lacrimalis anterior): bony ridge
bordering the fossa of the lacrimal sac anteriorly.
III.Zygomatic process (Processus zygomaticus): laterally directed
process for articulation with the zygomatic bone.
IV.Alveolar process (Processus alveolaris): crest-like process forming
sockets for the teeth.
 Superior alveolar arch (Arcus alveolaris superior): arcuate free
border of the alveolar process.
 Dental alveoli (Alveoli dentales): cavities in the alveolar
process for the root of the teeth.
 Interalveolar septa (Septa interalveolaria): bony crest between
the alveoli.
 Interradicular septa (Septa interradicularia): bony walls
between chambers of a dental alveolus for the root of a tooth.
 Alveolar juga (juga alveolaria): prominences on the external
surfaces of the jaw caused by the sockets of the teeth.
 Incisive foramen (foramen incisivum): opening of incisive
canal into the oral cavity.
V.Palatine process (Processus palatinus): horizontal plate forming
the largest portion of the hard palate.
 Median palatine suture (Sutura palatina mediana): suture
running in the midline of hard palate between palatine processes
of maxillary bones and horizontal plates of the palatine bones.
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 Transverse palatine suture (Sutura palatina transversa):
transversally running suture of the hard palate between palatine
processes of maxillae and palatine bones.
 Nasal crest (Crista nasalis): bony crest in the midline for
attachment of the nasal septum.
 Anterior nasal spine (Spina nasalis anterior): sharp projection
below the piriform aperture (anterior opening of bony nasal
cavity) for attachment of the cartilaginous nasal septum.
 Incisive bone (Os incisivum, premaxilla): intermaxillary bone
that develops separatelly from maxilla.Usually extends from
incisive foramen to gap between canine tooth second incisor.
 Incisive suture (Sutura incisiva): between palatine process and
incisive bone visible only during development.
 Incisive canal (Canalis incisivus): passage for the nasopalatine
nerve. It is double on the nasal side, single on the palatine side.
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3. Zygomatic bone (Os zygomaticum): forms a large portion
of the lateral wall of the orbit and part of the zygomatic arch.
It has 3 surfaces:
 Lateral surface (Facies lateralis): facing laterally.
 Temporal surface (Facies temporalis): facing temporal fossa.
 Orbital surface (Facies orbitalis): facing the orbit.
Processes:
 Frontal process (Processus frontalis): adjoining the zygomatic process of
the frontal bone.
 Temporal process (Processus temporalis): with the zygomatic process of
the temporal bone forms the zygomatic arch.
 Maxillary process (Processus maxillaris): adjoining the maxilla.
 Zygomaticoorbital foramen (Foramen zygomaticoorbitale): opening of
the canal for the zygomatic nerve on the orbital surface.
 Zygomaticofacial foramen (Foramen zygomaticofaciale): opening on the
lateral surface for passage of the zygomaticofacial branch of the
zygomatic nerve.
 Zygomaticotemporal foramen (Foramen zygomaticotemporale):
opening on the temporal surface for passage of the zygomaticotemporal
branch of the zygomatic nerve.
4. Lacrimal bone (Os lacrimale): located in front of the orbital
lamina of the ethmoidal bone.
 Lacrimal sulcus (Sulcus lacrimalis): involved in the formation of the
fossa for the lacrimal sac.
 Posterior lacrimal crest (Crista lacrimalis posterior): bony ridge
bordering posteriorly the lacrimal sac.
 Fossa for the lacrimal sac (Fossa sacci lacrimalis): contains the lacrimal
sac.
 Nasolacrimal canal(Canalis nasolacrimalis): contains the nasolacrimal
duct opening into the inferior nasal meatus of the nasal cavity.
4.
Nasal bone (os nasale):
paired bone between right and left
maxillary bones, connects superiorly to the frontal bone.
 Ethmoidal sulcus (Sulcus ethmoidalis): on lower surface of the nasal
bone for the external nasal branch of the anterior ethmoidal nerve.
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6.Vomer:
unpaired bone taking part in the formation of the bony nasal
septum.
 Ala of vomer (Ala vomeris): wing-like process supporting the
sphenoid bone and connects to the nasal crest.
7.Inferior nasal concha (Concha nasalis inferior):
independent lower concha attached to lateral wall of nasal cavity.
 Maxillary process (Processus maxillaris): lateral process forming part of
medial wall of maxillary sinus.

Lacrimal process (Processus lacrimalis): directed forward and upward.
 Ethmoidal process (Processus ethmoidalis): connected to the uncinate
process of ethmoid bone.
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8. Palatine bone (Os palatinum): forms the posterior extention
of the upper jaw. It consists of 2 plates: perpendicular and horizontal plates.
 Perpendicular lamina (Lamina perpendicularis): between pterygoid
process and nasal part of maxilla. It forms a part of the medial wall of the
maxillary sinus. It has 2 surfaces: nasal surface and maxillary surface.
 Nasal surface (facies nasalis): facing the nose.
 Maxillary surface (facies maxillaris): lateral surface of the perpendicular
plate adjoining both the pterygopalatine fossa and maxillary sinus.
 Sphenopalatine notch (Incisura sphenopalatina) part of the
sphenopalatine foramen at the upper border of the perpendicular plate.
 Orbital process (Processus orbitalis): process between the maxilla,
ethmoid and sphenoid bones directed forward and upward.
 Sphenoid process (Processus sphenoidalis): superior process behind the
sphenopalatine notch.
 Ethmoidal crest (Crista ethmoidalis): ridge for attachment of the middle
concha.
 Conchal crest (Crista conchalis): ridge for the attachment of the inferior
concha.
 Greater palatine sulcus (sulcus palatinus major): groove which, with the
greater palatine sulcus of the maxilla, forms the greater palatine canal for
the greater palatine nerve and descending palatine artery.
 Pyramidal process (Processus pyramidalis): process inserted into the
pterygoid notch.
Horizontal lamina (Lamina horizontalis): forms the posterior part of the
hard palate. It has 2 surfaces: nasal and palatine surfaces.
 Greater palatine foramen (Foramen palatinum majus): opening of the
greater palatine canal in the palatine surface.
 Lesser palatine foramina(Foramina palatina minora) openings of the
canales palatini minores in the palatine surface.
 Nasal crest (Crista nasalis): median bony ridge at the juncture with the
opposite palatine bone.
 Posterior nasal spine (Spina nasalis posterior):apex of the nasal crest
extending posterioly and medially at the junion with the opposite palatine
bone.
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9. Mandibula (lower jaw):
 Body (Corpus mandibulae): horizontal portion of the lower jaw to
which the rami are attached.
 Base of the mandible (Basis mandibulae): lower part of the
mandibular body without alveolar portion.
 Alveolar part (Pars alveolaris): crest on the base for reception
of the roots of the teeth.
 Limbus alveolaris: alveolar margin
 Dental alveoli (Alveoli dentales): sockets for the roots of the
teeth.
o Interalveolar septa (Septa interalveolaria): bony crest
between the tooth sockets.
o Interradicular septa (Septa interradicularia): bony crests
between the roots of a tooth.
 Alveolar juga( juga alveolaria): prominences on the external
surface of the mandible caused by the roots of the teeth.
 Mental protuberance (Protuberantia mentalis): the chin.
 Mental tubercle (tuberculum mentale): paired tubercle located
inferiorly on the mental tuberance.
 Mental foramen (Foramen mentale): External opening of the
mandibular canal for the mental nerve beneath the second
premolar. Pressure point for the mandibular branch of the
trigeminal nerve.
 Mandibular canal (Canalis mandibulae): canal for the inferior
alveolar nerve and artery running inside the mandible starting
with the mandibular foramen and ending with the mental
foramen.
 Mental spine (Spina mentalis): small bony hook in the midline
on the inner surface for origin of genioglossus and geniohyoid
muscles.
 Mylohyoid line ( Linea mylohyoidea): extends diagonally from
a postero-superior to an antero-inferior point, serving as a line of
origin for the mylohyoideus muscle.
 Sublingual fovea (Fovea sublingualis): depression for the
sublingual gland laterally to the mental spine, above the
mylohyoid line on the inner surface.
 Submandibular fovea (fovea submandibularis): depression for
the submandibular gland below the mylohyoid line on the inner
surface.
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

 Digastric fossa (Fossa digastrica): small fossa located anteriorly
on the inner surface, above the inferior border, for the insertion
of the digastric muscle
Angle of the mandible (Angulus mandibulae): angle between
body and ramus.
 Masseteric tuberosity (Tuberositas masseterica): bony crest of
the external surface of the mandible for attachment of the
masseter muscle.
 Pterygoid tuberosity (Tuberositas pterygoidea): rough area on
the internal surface of the mandible near the angle for
attachment of the medial pterygoid muscle.
Ramus mandibulae: the ascending portion.
 Condylar process (Processus condylaris): ends as the head of
the mandible.
 Head of the mandible (Caput mandibulae): articular head of the
temporomandibular joint.
 Neck of the mandible (Collum mandibulae): slender portion
below the condyle.
 Coronoid process (Processus coronoideus): process for the
attachment of the temporalis muscle.It is separated from the
posteriorly located condylar process by the mandibular notch.
 Mandibular notch (Incisura mandibulae): between the condylar
and coronoid processes.
 Mandibular foramen (Foramen mandibulae): opening of the
mandibular canal on the inner surface of the mandibular ramus.
 Lingula of mandible (Lingula mandibulae): bony lamina
anterior to the mandibular foramen.
 Mylohyoid sulcus (Sulcus mylohyoideus): groove running
forward and downward from the mandibular foramen carrying
the mylohyoid nerve and the mylohyoid branch of the inferior
alveolar artery.
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Calvaria:
Tuber frontale
Tuber parietale
Sutura sagittalis
Sutura coronalis
Sutura lambdoidea
Sutura squamosa
Sulcus sinus sagittalis superioris
Foveolae granulares
Sulci arteriosi
Diploe, lamina externa et interna
Canales diploicae
Basis cranii interna:

Fossa cranii anterior / scala anterior:
Crista galli
Lamina cribrosa
Foramen cecum
Sulcus chiasmatis
Canalis opticus
Processus clinoideus anterior
Juga cerebralia
 Fossa cranii media / scala media:
Sella turcica
Fossa hypophysealis
Processus clinoideus media et posterior
Tuberculum sellae
Dorsum sellae
Sulcus caroticus
Canalis caroticus
Foramen lacerum
Fissura sphenopetrosa
Fissura orbitalis superior
Foramen rotundum
Foramen ovale
Foramen spinosum
Sulci arteriosi
Impressio trigemini / Meckel-árok
Hiatus canalis nervi petrosi majoris et minoris
Sulcus nervi petrosi majoris et minoris
Eminentia arcuata
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Tegmen tympani
Sulcus sinus petrosi superioris
 Fossa cranii posterior / scala posterior:
Foramen magnum
Tuberculum jugulare
Canalis hypoglossi
Foramen jugulare
Porus acusticus internus ( meatus acusticus internus)
Apertura externa aqueductus vestibuli
Sulcus sinus petrosi inferioris
Sulcus sinus sigmoidei
Sulcus sinus transversi
Sulcus sinus sagittalis superioris
Protuberantia occipitalis interna
Crista occipitalis interna
Clivus
Synchondrosis petrooccipitalis
Basis cranii externa:






















Fossa scaphoidea
Sulcus tubae auditivae
Canalis musculotubarius
Foramen lacerum
Canalis pterygoideus Vidii
Foramen ovale
Foramen spinosum
Tuberculum articulare
Fossa mandibularis
Processus zygomaticus
Fissura petrosquamosa
Fissura petrotympanica Glaseri
Processus mastoideus
Foramen stylomastoideum
Processus styloideus
Fossa jugularis
Foramen jugulare
Canalis caroticus
Fossula petrosa
Apertura inferior canaliculi tympanici
Apertura externa canaliculi cochleae
Canalis hypoglossi
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 Sulcus arteriae occipitalis
 Incisura mastoidea
CONNECTIONS OF THE ORBIT:
canalis opticus
cranial cavity
optic nerve
ophthalmic artery
sup. orbital fissure
middle cranial fossa
oculomotor n.
trochlear n.
ophthalmic n.
abducent n.
sup. ophthalmic vein
inf. orbital fissure
pterygopalatine fossa:
infratemporal fossa:
infraorbital a. & n.
zygomatic nerve
inferior ophthalmic vein
ant. ethmoidal foramen
ant. cranial fossa
ant. ethmoidal a. & n.
post. ethmoidal foramen
ethmoidal air-cells
post. ethmoidal a. & n.
nasolacrimal canal
inf. nasal meatus
nasolacrimal duct
infraorbital foramen
fossa canina
infraorbital a. & n.
frontal notch
forehead
frontal a. & n.
supraorbital foramen
forehead
supraorbital a.& n.
zygomatic canal
aditus orbitae
face: zygomaticofacial c.
temporal fossa:
zygomaticotemporal canal
zygomatic nerve
face
CONNECTIONS OF THE NASAL CVITY:
piriform aperture
face
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choanae
pharynx
sphenopalatine foramen
pterygopalatine fossa
semilunar hiatus
maxillary sinus
frontal sinus ( with ethmoidal
infundibulum)
ant., middle ethmoidal air-cells
sup. nasal meatus
post. ethmoidal air -cells
aperture of sphenoidal
sinus ( sphenoethmoidal
recess)
sphenoidal sinus
nasolacrimal canal
(inferior nasal meatus)
incisive canal
orbit
sphenopalatine a.
post. nasal nn.
nasolacrimal duct
oral cavity
end-branch of
sphenopalatine a.
post. med. nasal nerve
CONNECTONS OF THE PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA:
foramen rotundum
middle cranial fossa
sphenopalatine foramen
maxillary nerve
nasal cavity
sphenopalatine artery
post. nasal nerves
pterygoid canal/Vidian
canal
ext. surface of the
base of the skull
greater petrosal nerve
deep petrosal nerve
inf. orbital fissure
orbit
infraorbital nerve
zygomatic nerve
greater palatine canal
oral cavity
pterygomaxillary
fissure
infratemporal fossa
greater palatine nerve
descending palatine artery
post. sup. alveolar nerves
sphenopalatine artery
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