the joints between cranial bones of the skull are called

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. Zygomatic arch fracture – associated with trauma to the side of the face.Clinical features include pain at fracture site and misalignment of the teeth (malocclusion) Mandibular fracture – often bilateral occurring directly at the side of trauma, and indirectly at the contralateral side due to transmitted forces.Fractures affecting of maxillary bones are classified using the Le Fort classification, ranging from 1 to 3. Maxillary fracture – associated with high-energy trauma.There is often significant soft tissue swelling and associated epistaxis. Nasal fracture – the most common facial fracture, due to the prominent position of the nasal bones at the bridge of the nose.The four most common facial fracture types are: Mandible (jaw) – articulates with the base of the cranium at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).įractures of the facial skeleton are relatively common and most frequently result from road traffic collisions, fist fights, and falls.Vomer – forms the posterior aspect of the nasal septum.Maxilla (2) – comprises part of the upper jaw and hard palate.Palatine (2) – situated at the rear of oral cavity and forms part of the hard palate.Inferior nasal conchae (2) – located within the nasal cavity, these bones increase the surface area of the nasal cavity, thus increasing the amount of inspired air that can come into contact with the cavity walls.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.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 posterior fontanelle usually closes first, before the anterior fontanelle, during the first several months of an infant's life.The facial skeleton (also known as the viscerocranium) supports the soft tissues of the face. This is the junction of the 2 parietal bones and the occipital bone. Doctors can assess if there is increased intracranial pressure by feeling the anterior fontanelle. The anterior fontanelle remains soft until about 18 months to 2 years of age.

This is the junction where the 2 frontal and 2 parietal bones meet. There are 2 fontanelles (the space between the bones of an infant's skull where the sutures intersect) that are covered by tough membranes that protect the underlying soft tissues and brain. The fontanelles include:Īnterior fontanelle (also called soft spot). This results in an abnormal head shape (craniosynostosis). This may force growth to happen in another area or direction. If any of the sutures close too early (fuse prematurely), there may be no growth in that area. Each parietal bone plate meets the occipital bone plate at the lambdoid suture. This extends across the back of the head. The 2 parietal bone plates meet at the sagittal suture. This extends from the front of the head to the back, down the middle of the top of the head. Each frontal bone plate meets with a parietal bone plate at the coronal suture. The 2 frontal bone plates meet at the metopic suture.Ĭoronal suture. This extends from the top of the head down the middle of the forehead, toward the nose. The major sutures of the skull include the following:

One suture in the middle of the skull extends from the front of the head to the back. Some sutures extend to the forehead, while others extend to the sides and back of the skull. The result is a symmetrically shaped head. This allows the bone to enlarge evenly as the brain grows and the skull expands. Sutures allow the bones to move during the birth process. These bony plates cover the brain and are held together by fibrous material called sutures. The major bones that compose the skull of a newborn include the following:

Although the skull appears to be 1 large bone, there are actually several major bones that are connected together.

The joints between cranial bones of the skull are called