The mandible, or lower jawbone, is the largest and strongest facial bone, responsible for supporting the lower teeth and facilitating chewing and speaking. The lacrimal bones are the smallest bones in the skull and are located in the inner corners of the eye sockets, playing a role in tear production. The inferior nasal conchae are delicate bones that project from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity, helping to increase the surface area and improve airflow within the nasal passages. The palatine bones form the posterior part of the hard palate, helping to separate the oral and nasal cavities. The vomer is a small, thin bone that forms the inferior portion of the nasal septum, helping to divide the nasal cavity into left and right sides. The nasal bones form the bridge of the nose, providing support and protection for the nasal passages. The maxilla forms the upper jaw and plays a role in facial structure, holding the upper teeth and providing support to the nasal cavity and eye sockets. The zygomatic bones, commonly known as the cheekbones, form the prominence of the cheeks and contribute to the structure of the eye sockets. The ethmoid bone is located between the eyes and forms part of the nasal cavity, as well as contributing to the eye sockets and skull base. The sphenoid bone is a complex bone that forms the base of the skull and contributes to the eye sockets and nasal cavity. The occipital bone forms the back of the skull, protecting the cerebellum and the visual center of the brain. The temporal bones house the ears and contain important structures like the middle and inner ear, as well as the temporal lobes of the brain. The paired parietal bones make up the sides and roof of the skull, protecting the top and sides of the brain. The frontal bone forms the forehead and protects the frontal lobes of the brain. The skull bones are connected by fibrous joints that fuse together in adulthood to form a rigid structure. The human skull comprises 22 bones, including eight cranial bones that encase and protect the brain and 14 facial bones that form the structure of the face. Muscle attachment sites on the cervical vertebrae provide movement and posture to the head and neck.The skull is a complex bony structure that protects the brain. Hollow spaces within the cervical vertebrae protect and conduct the spinal cord and vertebral arteries through the neck. The second vertebra (axis) allows the head to rotate laterally to the left and the right. The first cervical vertebra (atlas) supports and balances the head. The 7 cervical vertebrae form the bones of the neck that support the skull and organs of the head. They form a bridge connecting the eardrum to the inner ear and function to transmit vibrations between these parts. The auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) of each ear are also bones in the head separate from the skull. It anchors muscles of the tongue and throat and holds open the larynx of the respiratory tract. The hyoid is closely associated with the skull but is a “floating bone” that does not form a joint with any other bone. The upper portions of the digestive and respiratory tracts are also housed within the hollow oral and nasal cavities of the skull.Īnother important bone of the head and neck is the hyoid bone. Teeth are rooted into deep sockets in the mandible and maxillary bones. The skull encases and protects the brain as well as the special sense organs of vision, hearing, balance, taste and smell.Īttachment points for the muscles of the head and neck are located on the exterior surfaces of the skull and allow for important movement like chewing, speech, and facial expressions. The skull consists of 22 cranial and facial bones, which, with the exception of the mandible, are tightly fused together. Movements of these bones by the attached muscles of the head provide for facial expressions, eating, speech, and head movement. The bones of the head and neck play the vital role of supporting the brain, sensory organs, nerves, and blood vessels of the head and protecting these structures from mechanical damage.
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