
Nasal (2) - two slender bones that are located at the bridge of the nose.They form part of the medial wall of the orbit. Lacrimal (2) - the smallest bones of the face.Zygomatic (2) - forms the cheek bones of the face and articulates with the frontal, sphenoid, temporal and maxilla bones.These bones articulate with the 1st cervical vertebra (atlas), the facial bones, and the mandible (jaw). Cranial base - comprised of the frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, occipital, parietal, and temporal bones.Cranial roof - comprised of the frontal, occipital and two parietal bones.It encloses and protects the brain, meninges, and cerebral vasculature.Īnatomically, the cranium can be subdivided into a roof and a base: The cranium (also known as the neurocranium) is formed by the superior aspect of the skull. In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the bones of the skull - their orientation, articulations, and clinical relevance. The bones of the skull can be considered as two groups: those of the cranium (which consist of the cranial roof and cranial base) and those of the face. It is comprised of many bones, which are formed by intramembranous ossification, and joined by sutures (fibrous joints). The skull is a bony structure that supports the face and forms a protective cavity for the brain.

Displaced fractures can damage the nearby infraorbital nerve, leading to ipsilateral paraesthesia of the check, nose, and lip.

Lacrimal (2) – the smallest bones of the face.Zygomatic (2) – forms the cheek bones of the face and articulates with the frontal, sphenoid, temporal and maxilla bones.The frontal bone, typically a bone of the calvaria, is sometimes included as part of the facial skeleton. It consists of 14 bones, which fuse to house the orbits of the eyes, the nasal and oral cavities, and the sinuses. The facial skeleton (also known as the viscerocranium) supports the soft tissues of the face.
