The Axial Skeleton (1)

Keeping you upright and insightful!

The axial skeleton (‫ )الجهاز الهيكلي المحوري‬consists of the bones located around the long
axis of the body. It includes the Skull (22), Ribs + Sternum (25), and Vertebral column (26).

Bones of The Skull

The skull is the superior part of the axial skeleton. It serves as the bony framework of the
head. It comprises 22 bones, excluding the bones of the middle ears.
 Frontal Bone

Frontal Bone forms the Forehead (front part of the cranium) and Roof of the orbit (eye
sockets).

Features of the frontal bone:

1. Frontal Squama
Contains vertical frontal sinuses
2. Supraorbital margin
Features a supraorbital foramen (notch)
3. Orbital part of frontal bone
Forms the superior part of the eye sockets (orbits), contributing to the roof of the orbits.

Temporal Bone

Temporal Bones form the inferior lateral aspect of the cranium and part of the cranial floor.

Features of Temporal bones:

Squamous Part
Refers to the region of the temporal bone around the ear.
It is a thin, flat portion of the temporal bone.
Mastoid Process
Located behind the ear.
Zygomatic Process
Connects with the temporal process of the zygomatic bone to form the Zygomatic
Arch.
Mandibular Fossa
A socket found on the inferoposterior surface of the zygomatic process.
Styloid Process
Resembles a pencil.
Projects inferiorly from the inferior surface of the temporal bone.
 Petrous Part of Temporal Bone
Positioned between the sphenoid and occipital bones inside the skull.

Occipital Bone

Occipital bones form the posterior part of the base of the cranium

Features of the occipital bone:

Foramen magnum
The largest hole in the skull
Occipital condyles
Connect with the first vertebra (Atlas) to create atlanto-occipital joints
External occipital protuberance
A small protrusion
Superior and inferior nuchal lines
Located on each side of the external occipital protuberance
Squamous part of occipital bone
the flat posterior section of the occipital bone.
 Sphenoid Bone

The sphenoid bone is the central keystone of your skull's base, playing a crucial role in both
structure and function. Imagine it as a butterfly with widespread wings.

Features of the Sphenoid Bone:

Body: This is the central part of the bone, where the sphenoid sinuses are located. These
sinuses are air-filled pockets within the sphenoid bone.
Greater Wings: the larger wings of the butterfly. They extend laterally from the body.
Lesser Wings: the smaller wings of the butterfly, positioned anterior to the greater wings.
Pterygoid Processes (Legs of the butterfly): two legs extending inferiorly from the body
of the butterfly.
Each ending in two plates called medial and lateral pterygoid plates that are like the
feet of the butterfly.

Sella Turcica

Now, imagine a small saddle sitting in the middle of the sphenoid body. This saddle is
composed of:

1. Tuberculum Sellae: a small elevation at the anterior end of the saddle. It has two anterior
clinoid processes laterally.
2. Hypophysial Fossa (Pituitary Fossa): a depression where the pituitary gland sits.
3. Dorsum Sellae: a bony elevation at the posterior end of the saddle. It has two posterior
clinoid processes laterally.
 Cranial Nerves

Neurocranium (Brain Box)

Imagine your brain sitting comfortably inside a protective box called the "brain box." It's
made up of two main parts: the cranial vault and the cranial base.

Cranial Vault

Cranial Vault: the roof and the walls of the brain box. This part is composed of several pieces
of bone:

a. The squamous part of Frontal bone, which forms the anterior part of the cranial vault.
b. Parietal bones, which form the top and sides of the cranial vault.
c. The squamous part of the Occipital bone, which is at the posterior and inferior part of
the cranial vault.
d. The squamous part of the Temporal bones, forming the sides of the cranial vault.
e. The Greater Wing of the Sphenoid.

Cranial Vault Sutures:

1. Coronal Suture: where the frontal bone meets the parietal bones.
 2. Sagittal Suture: where the two parietal bones meet each other.
3. Lambdoid Suture: where the parietal bones meet the occipital bone.

4 Points on the Skull:

1. Bregma: intersection of Sagittal & Coronal Sutures.

2. Vertex: This is simply the very top point of your skull.
3. Lambda: where the sagittal suture meets the lambdoid suture.
4. Pterion: a point superior to the midpoint of the zygomatic arch. This point is defined by
an H-shaped meeting of four bones: frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid.
It's a very critical area because it's thin and covers a major artery inside the skull
called the anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery.
A hit to this area with accompanied damage to the artery leads to epidural
hemorrhage in approximately 80% of the cases.

Cranial Base

Cranial Base: the floor upon which your brain sits. This includes:

a. Orbital part of the Frontal bone.

b. The Ethmoid bone.
c. Sphenoid bone, a butterfly-shaped bone that sits in the middle of the skull base.
d. Petrous part of the Temporal bone, which is the sides of the base.
e. Basilar part of the Occipital bone, which is the posterior part of the base.
The cranial base has two main sides: an inside floor (internal surface) and an outside ground
(external surface).

Internal Surface (Endocranial)

On the inside, the floor isn't flat but divided into three main depressions or fossae, called
anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossae.
 Anterior Cranial Fossa

Anterior Fossa is the shallowest part and holds the frontal lobes of your brain. It is made of:

a. Orbital plates of frontal bone anteriorly.

b. Lesser wings of sphenoid bone posteriorly.
c. Cribriform plate of ethmoid bone centrally. This forms the roof of the nasal cavity and
is perforated for the transmission of olfactory nerves.
It also has the crista galli (‫ )عرف الديك‬which is a median projection from the
ethmoid that provides attachment site for the falx cerebri.

Middle Cranial Fossa

Middle Fossa lies just behind the anterior fossa, this area is a bit deeper. It is shaped like a
butterfly and accommodates the temporal lobes of your brain.

It extends from the posterior border of the lesser wings of sphenoid bone to the superior
border of petrous part of temporal bone.
It is made of:
a. Sella turcica centrally, which is part of the body of sphenoid bone.
b. 2 depressed parts laterally.

Foramina in the middle cranial fossa include:

1. Optic Canal:

Location: In the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone.

Passenger: The optic nerve (vision nerve) and ophthalmic artery travel through here.

2. Superior Orbital Fissure:

Location: Situated between the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone.
 Communicates: This slit-like opening communicates with the orbital cavity (eye socket). It
transmits the ophthalmic nerve (V1), the oculomotor nerve (III), Trochlear nerve (IV), and
Abducens nerve (VI), as well as all muscles controlling the eye ball.

3. Foramen Rotundum:

Location: Found in the greater wing of the sphenoid, just posterior to the medial end of
the superior orbital fissure.
Passenger: The maxillary nerve (V2), a branch of the trigeminal nerve.

4. Foramen Ovale:

Location: Also in the greater wing, positioned posterolaterally to the foramen rotundum.
Passenger: The mandibular nerve (V3), another branch of the trigeminal nerve.

5. Foramen Spinosum:

Location: in the greater wing of the sphenoid, posterolateral to the foramen ovale.
Passenger: The middle meningeal artery.

6. Foramen Lacerum:

Location: Positioned between the sphenoid and temporal bones.

Note: During life, this foramen is covered by cartilage and doesn't actually allow passage
of any significant structures. After death, it appears as an opening (an artifact foramen).

Posterior Cranial Fossa

Posterior Fossa is the largest and deepest fossa.

It is made of:
a. Centrally: Clivus (sloping part of occipital bone), foramen magnum, internal occipital
crest, and internal occipital protuberance.
 b. Laterally: contains the cerebellum (‫)المخيخ‬.

Foramina in the posterior cranial fossa include:

1. Foramen Magnum:

Location: In the occipital bone.

Passengers: The medulla oblongata (an extension of the spinal cord into the brain), the
meninges, vertebral arteries, and the spinal accessory nerve (XI).

2. Jugular Foramen:

Location: Positioned between the petrous part of temporal and occipital bones.
Passengers: The internal jugular vein, along with cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal), X
(vagus), and XI (accessory).

3. Hypoglossal Canal:

Location: Situated in the anterolateral wall of the foramen magnum.

Passenger: The hypoglossal nerve (XII).

4. Internal Acoustic Meatus:

Location: Found anterior to the jugular foramen in the temporal bone.

Passengers: cranial nerves VII (facial nerve) and VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve).

Viscerocranium (Facial Skeleton)

Forehead:

Made by: The frontal bone, specifically the squamous part, which forms the forehead.
Extensions: The frontal bone also extends to form the upper part of the eye sockets and
contains the frontal sinuses.
Nasion: The point where the frontal bone meets the two nasal bones.
Orbital Cavity (Eye Socket):

Shape: Pyramidal, with four walls (roof, floor, medial, and lateral walls).
Fissures inside:
a. Superior Orbital Fissure: Between the greater and lesser wings of the sphenoid bone,
allowing communication with the middle cranial fossa.
b. Inferior Orbital Fissure: Between the maxilla and the greater wing of the sphenoid.

Nasal Cavity:

Location: Between the anterior cranial fossa and the oral cavity.
Nasal Septum: Composed of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone and the vomer.
Nasal Conchae (Superior, middle, and inferior): shelf of bones at the lateral walls of the
nasal cavity, important for air filtration.
Note: superior and middle conchae are parts of the ethmoid bone, while the inferior
nasal concha is a separate bone.
Maxilla (Upper Jaw):

Body: Pyramid-shaped, containing the maxillary sinus.

Foramina:
a. Infraorbital Foramen: On the anterior wall, for the infraorbital nerve.
b. Incisive Foramen: Posterior to the central incisors, for the nasopalatine nerve.
Processes:
a. Zygomatic: Connects to the zygomatic bone.
b. Frontal: Extends superiorly, lateral to the nasal bones.
c. Alveolar: Contains the sockets for the upper teeth.
d. Palatine: Forms the anterior two-thirds of the hard palate.

Mandible (Lower Jaw):

Characteristics: The largest, strongest facial bone, and the only movable skull bone.
Parts:
a. Body: The horizontal part, containing the mental foramen and alveolar process for the
lower teeth.
b. Rami: The vertical parts, with the mandibular notch, coronoid process (for muscle
attachment), and condylar process (forming the temporomandibular joint).
On the medial side of each ramus, theres the mandibular foramen with the lingula
covering it partially.
c. Angle: The junction between the body and rami.
 External Surface of Cranial Base (Inferior Aspect of Skull)

The external surface of the cranial base, or the bottom view of the skull, showcases a
fascinating division between the face (viscerocranium) and the braincase (neurocranium).
Let's simplify this into two main areas:

Facial Skeleton (Viscerocranium) Part:

Alveolar Processes of Maxillae.

Palatine Processes of Maxillae: These extend towards the back from the alveolar
processes and fuse together to form the front part of the roof of your mouth, known as
the hard palate.
Horizontal Plates of Palatine Bone: Located behind the palatine processes of the
maxillae, these plates complete the hard palate towards the back of your mouth.
Vomer: This is a thin bone that runs vertically along the midline inside the skull.
Braincase (Neurocranial) Bones:

Sphenoid: the sphenoid's pterygoid plates and the greater wing.

Temporal Bone: Several key features are visible from the bottom view:
a. Mandibular Fossa: A depression where the lower jaw (mandible) connects to the skull.
b. Styloid Process: Looks like a small spike sticking out.
c. Mastoid Process: A larger bump behind the ear canal.
d. Stylomastoid Foramen: A tiny canal between the styloid and mastoid processes.
e. Carotid Canal: The pathway through which the internal carotid artery enters the skull
to supply the brain with blood.
Occipital Bone: Forms the rear part of the skull base. They contain the occipital condyles,
which articulate with the first cervical vertebra (C1).