Head

Summary

In this section, we consider the following aspects of the anatomy of the head:

1. Functions of the skull
2. Structure of the skull
   • There are 2 aspects to the cranium:
     1. Neurocranium – the ‘dome’/’braincase’
     2. Viscerocranium – the ‘face’
   • The mandible is part of the skull but not the cranium
     • I.e. (neurocranium + viscerocranium) + mandible = skull
3. The pterion

Functions of the skull

• Protection
• Communication with body
• Skeleton for facial muscles
• Ingestion
• Respiration

Communication through the skull

1. Foramen (communicating with other parts of the body)
   • Spinal cord
   • Cranial nerves
   • Blood vessels
2. Joints
   • Atlanto-occipital
   • TMJ
   • (Ossicles)
3. Orifices (communicating with the environment)
   • Orbit
   • Nasal cavities
   • Oral cavity

The Pterion

• This is the point at which there is union of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones
• It is extremely vulnerable:
  • Weak point with thin bone
  • Many sutures
  • Overlies anterior branch of middle meningeal vessels
    • Ruptured by direct blow => death via EDH