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Bones of the Human Cranium and Face
Introductory Note: Knowledge
of bone structure and familarisation with the major
bones of the human body is an essential part of training
in many therapies, such as Massage (in its many forms,
"Indian Head Massage", "Swedish Massage",
"Acupressure Massage" etc.), Aromatherapy,
Shiatsu, and others. This page is intended to include
the amount of detail required for most First Level Courses
and some ITEC Diplomas.
There are typically 206 bones in the body, though there
may be up to about 226.
Of these there are 22 bones of the Skull, which include:
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| 8 Cranial Bones: |
1 x Ethmoid Bone
1 x Frontal Bone
1 x Occipital Bone
2 x Parietal Bones
1 x Sphenoid Bone
2 x Temporal Bones |
14 Facial Bones: |
2 x Inferior Nasal Conchae
2 x Lacrimal Bones
1 x Mandible
2 x Maxillae (pl.); Maxilla (sing.)
2 x Nasal Bones
2 x Palatine Bones
1 x Vomer
2 x Zygomatic Bones |
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The other bone also included in this section
is the hyoid bone, which is located in the neck
(as illustrated below).
Other bones that may also be required knowledge
to pass courses in "Indian Head Massage"
and other similar therapies include: |
| 33 Spinal Bones: |
33 x Vertebrae, including:
1 x Atlas (1st Vertebra), and
1 x Axis (2nd Vertebra). |
Other Bones: |
2 x Clavicle
2 x Humerus
2 x Scapula
1 x Sternum |
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The following two diagrams illustrate the positions of most
of the cranial and facial bones required by First
Level courses in massage and other therapies.
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It is not possible to illustrate all of the bones
and parts of bones that may be included on such
courses without also including more complicated
diagrams illustrating sections cut through the
skull (such as sagittal and transverse sections).
To include information about the locations of all of the main
features of the skeletal structures of the face and cranium,
a table is included below the diagrams, summarising key facts
about each.
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Diagrams of Cranial and Facial Bones
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Table Summarising Key Features of Cranial and
Facial Bones
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Function(s) - of specific bones/features
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General Features
(of skeletal structure of head)
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Orbit(s)
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Definition: The cavity (cavities) in the skull
that contain the eye(s).
These cavities are formed from parts of the following
bones (also mentioned below): frontal, ethmoid, lacrimal,
maxillary, palatine, sphenoid, and zygomatic.
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Mechanical protection of the sensitive structures of
the eye(s), including the eye balls themselves, together
with the associated muscles, nerves, blood supply, and
other tissues.
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Paranasal Sinuses
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Definition: air-filled cavities lined with mucous
membranes located within some skull bones.
Paranasal sinuses include: frontal sinuses
and maxillary sinuses (one pair of each);
ethmoid sinuses (many spaces inside the
ethmoid bone); two sphenoid sinuses.
These are named after the bones in which they are located
- see diagram for positions of bones.
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Producing mucus;
Acting as resonating chambers - resulting
in personal speaking and singing sounds
that differ from person to person.
draining mucus out of the skull via the nasal cavities
as necessary (e.g. in case of over-production of mucus).
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Sutures
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Definition: The word "suture" has
meanings in both anatomy and surgery. In
the context of anatomy, a 'suture' is a
type of immovable joint found only between
skull bones and consisting of a small amount
of connective tissue between the bones.
There are several of these joints in the skull, examples
include: Coronal Suture (between frontal and parietal
bones); Lamboidal Suture (between the parietal and occipital
bones); and Sagittal Suture (between the two parietal
bones).
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These joints hold the bones of the skull together.
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Bones of the Cranium
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Ethmoid
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Floor of the cranium, inferior to the frontal bone
and anterior to the sphenoid.
Non-technically: Centre of the face, behind the nose.
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Forms part of the nasal cavity and the orbits.
Main support structure of the nasal cavity
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Frontal
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Forehead, extending down to form the upper surfaces
of the orbits. Anterior roof of the skull.
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Occipital
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Back and base of the cranium, forms the back of the
skull.
Non-technically: Lower back of the head.
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The occipital condyles (rounded surfaces at the base
of the occipital bone) articulate with the
atlas (first vertebra of the spine), enabling
movement of the head relative to the spine.
Has a large opening called the Foramen Magnus
which the spinal cord passes through.
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Parietal
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Top and sides of the cranium, posterior roof of the
skull.
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Sphenoid
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Anterior to the temporal bones and forms the base of
cranium - behind the orbitals.
Consists of a body, two "wings" and two "pterygoid
processes" (not labelled on diagrams) that project
downwards.
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Articulates with the frontal, parietal and temporal
bones.
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Temporal
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Sides of the skull, below the parietal bones, and above
and behind the ears
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Bones of the Face
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Hyoid
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In the neck, below the tongue (held in place by ligaments
and muscles between it and the styloid process of the
temporal bone).
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Supports the tongue, providing attachment sites for
some tongue muscles, and also some muscles
of the neck and pharynx.
(Commonly fractured during strangulation, so studied
in autopsies if strangulation suspected.)
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Lacrimal
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Behind and lateral to the nasal bone, also contribute
to the orbits.
(Smallest bones in the face.)
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Contain foramina for the nasolacrimal ducts (tear ducts).
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Mandible
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Known as the lower jaw bone. Also forms the chin and
sides of the face.
(Largest, strongest facial bone.)
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Bone into which the lower teeth are attached.
The only moveable facial bone; motion of
this bone is necessary for chewing food
(the first stage of the digestion process).
Each side of the mandible has a condyle and a coronoid
process. The condyle articulates with the temporal bone
to form the temporomandibular joint.
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Maxilla
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Upper jaw bone, which also forms the lower parts of
the orbits.
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Bone into which the upper teeth are attached.
Each maxilla contains a maxillary sinus that drains
fluid into the nasal cavity.
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Nasal
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Pair of small oblong bones that form the bridge and
roof of the nose.
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Palatine
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Back of the roof of the mouth (hence not illustrated
above). Small "L-shaped" bones.
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Form the bottom of the orbitals and nasal cavities,
and also the roof of the mouth.
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Turbinator
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Also known as Turbinate Bone and Nasal Concha.
These terms refer to any of three thin bones that form
the sides of the nasal cavity (not illustrated in the
diagrams above).
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Form the nasal cavities.
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Vomer
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Thin roughly triangular plate of bone on the floor
of the nasal cavity and part of the nasal septum.
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Separates the nasal cavities into left and right sides.
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Zygomatic
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Also known as Zygoma and Malar Bone.
Commonly (non-medically) referred to as
the
Cheek Bone because it forms the prominent part
of the cheeks. Also contributes to the orbits.
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Articulates with the frontal, maxilla, sphenoid and
temporal bones.
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The functions stated above are in addition to the general functions
for the category of bones, that is:
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Type of Bone(s)
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Function
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Cranial
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Protection of the brain;
Inner-surfaces attach to membranes that stabilise
the positions of the brain, blood vessels, and
nerves;
Outer-surfaces act as areas of attachment for
muscles that move the head in various ways;
Protect and support organs for the senses of vision, taste,
smell, hearing and equilibrium/balance.
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Facial
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Form the mechanical framework of the face;
Protect and support entry points of both the digestive,
and the respiratory systems;
Provide attachment for some muscles of facial
expression;
Protect and support organs for the senses of vision, taste,
smell, hearing and equilibrium/balance.
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Table Summarising Key Features of other Related
Bones
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Bone
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Location(s)
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Atlas
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The first (upper-most) vertebra.
See diagram above.
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Supports and balances the head.
Allows flexion and extension of the head.
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Axis
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The second vertebra, immediately below the Atlas.
See diagram above.
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Allows rotation of the head.
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Clavicle
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Long bone(s) positioned in an approximately horizontal orientation
between the base of the neck and the shoulders. Forms the
anterior aspect of the shoulder girdle and is sometimes (non-medically)
referred to as the "collar bone".
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Articulates with the sternum (medially) and the scapulae
(laterally).
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Humerus
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Long bone located in upper-arm
(the longest bone in the upper-skeleton)
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Providing the mechanical structure of the upper-arms. Articulates
with the scapula, enabling movement of the arms at the shoulder
joints.
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Scapula
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Large, flat, triangular bones that form the posterior shoulder
girdle (one scapula is located on each side of the body).
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Providing mechanical structure for the upper-body. Articulates
with the clavicle and humerus, enabling movement of the arms
at the shoulder joints.
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Sternum
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Center of the chest, sometimes (non-medically) referred to
as the "breast bone".
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Point of attachment for some (though not all) ribs.
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Vertebrae
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The spine consists of 33 vertebrae, each of which articulates
with the adjoining vertebrae (above and below).
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Provides mechanical structure for the body, enabling movement.
The spinal cord (i.e. of the central nervous system - CNS)
passes through, and is protected by all the vertebrae.
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