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Occipital Bone | Up
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Figure 3-9.—Posterior view of facial skeleton |
Ethmoid Bone
Figure 3-5.—Foramen magnum of cranial cavity viewed from
above.
The ethmoid bone is situated in front of the
sphenoid bone in the front part of the cranium (fig.
3-7). Through small openings in this bone pass nerves
to the roof of the mouth that are responsible for sense of
smell.
BONES OF THE FACE
The facial skeleton consists of 14 stationary bones
and a mobile lower jawbone (mandible). These 14
bones (table 3-2) form the basic shape of the face, and
are responsible for providing attachments for muscles
that make the jaw move and control facial expressions.
Figures 3-8 and 3-9 show the bones of the face.
Maxillae Bones
The maxillae bones are the largest bones of the
face and together form the upper jaw. The maxilla
(singular) consists of a body and. four processes:
zygomatic, frontal, alveolar and palatine. The maxilla
forms the hard palate, floor of the nose, part of the
orbits (eye sockets), and the tooth sockets of the upper
teeth. Above the roots of the upper teeth and below the
The occipital bone is an irregular, four-sided bone that
is somewhat curved upon itself.
Table 3-2.—Bones of the Face
Single bones
Paired bones
Sphenoid Bone
The sphenoid bone has a wing-like shape and is
internally wedged between several other bones in the
front part of the cranium (fig. 3-6). This bone assists
with the formation of the base of the cranium, the
sides of the skull, and the floors and sides of the
orbits.
Vomer
Mandible
Maxillary
Palatine
Zygomatic
Lacrimal
Nasal
Inferior nasal conchae
Figure 3-6.—Sphenoid bone viewed from above.
Figure 3-7.—Ethmoid bone viewed from above.
3-3
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