BIOL 2401
STUDY POINTS HANDOUT Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 (KEY)
1. What major bones are joined by (1) squamous suture, (2) lambdoid suture, and (3) the coronal suture?
The parietal and temporal bones are joined by the squamous suture, the parietal and occipital bones are joined
by the lambdoid suture, and the parietal and frontal bones are joined by the coronal suture.
2.
Which seven bones form the orbit?
Bones forming the orbit are the frontal, sphenoid, zygomatic, maxilla, lacrimal, ethmoid, and palatine.
3. What are the functions of the paranasal sinuses?
The paranasal sinuses produce mucus and serve as resonating chambers for vocalizations.
4.
Which fontanel is bordered by four different skull bones?
The paired anterolateral fontanels are bordered by four different skull bones: the frontal, parietal, temporal,
and sphenoid bones.
5.
Which fontanel is considered the “soft spot”?
The anterior fontanel is considered the “soft spot?
6. How long does it persist?
The anterior fontanel persists until the child is almost two years old.
7. Which curves of the adult vertebral column are concave?
The thoracic and sacral curves of the vertebral column are concave relative to the anterior of the body?
8. With which ribs does the body of the sternum articulate?
The body of the sternum articulates directly or indirectly with the ribs 2-10.
9. What is the function of the pectoral girdle?
The pectoral girdles attach the upper limbs to the axial skeleton.
10. What is the function of the pelvic girdle?
The pelvic girdle attaches the lower limbs to the axial skeleton and supports the backbone and pelvic viscera.
Critical Thinking: A new mother brings her newborn infant home and has been told by her well-meaning friend not
to wash the baby’s hair for several months because the water and soap could “get through that soft area in the top
of the head and cause brain damage.” Explain to her why this is not true.
The “soft area” being referred ot is the anterior fontanel, located between the parietal and frontal bones. This is
one of several areas of fibrous connective tissue in the skull that has not ossified; it should complete its ossification
at 18-14 months after birth. Fontanels allow flexibility of the skull for childbirth and for bain growth after birth. The
connective tissue will not allow passage of water; thus no brain damage will occur through simply washing the
baby’s hair.
Critical Thinking: Mr. Smith’s dog Rover dug up a complete set of human bones in the woods near his house. After
examining the scene, the local police collected the bones and transported them to the coroner’s office for
identification. Later, Mr. Smith read in the newspaper that the bones belonged to an elderly female. How was this
determined?
There are several characteristics of the bony pelves that can be used to differentiate male from female: 1) The
pelvis in the female is wider and more shallow than the male’s; 2) the pelvic brim of the female is larger and more
oval; 3) the pubic arch has an angle greater than 90 degrees; 4) the pelvic outlet is wider than in a male; 5) the
female’s iliac crest is less curved and the ilium less vertical. The age of the skeleton can be determined by the size of
the bones, the presence or absence of epiphyseal plates, the degree of demineralization of bones, and the general
appearance of the “bumps” and ridges of bones.