Key Terms
When learning about head and neck anatomy and the muscular system, it is essential to first look at the terminology to ensure that you understand everything clearly.
Term |
Definition |
| Alveolar Process | Portion of the maxillary bones that forms the support for teeth of the maxillary arch |
| Anterior | Toward the front |
| Arteries | Large blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart |
| Buccal | Region of the head that refers to structures closest to the inner cheek |
| Cranium | Eight bones that cover and protect the brain |
| Deep | Closer to the body’s core |
| Fossa | Hollow, grooved, or depressed area in a bone |
| Inferior | Structures that are closer to the feet |
| Innervation | Supply or distribution of nerves to a specific body part |
| Insertion | The other, more movable point of attachment of a muscle; it may be bone, another muscle, or skin |
| Lateral | Toward or from the side |
| Lateral Pterygoid Plate | Point of origin for internal and external pterygoid muscles |
| Masseter | Strongest and most obvious muscle of mastication |
| Mental | Region of the head pertaining to or located near the chin |
| Origin | The structure (usually a bone) to which the muscle is attached; it doesn’t move |
| Posterior | Toward the back |
| Pterygoid Process | Process of the sphenoid bone, consisting of two plates |
| Sternocleidomastoid | Major cervical muscle |
| Superior | Above another portion, or closer to the head |
| Superficial | On or near the surface |
| Trapezius | Major cervical muscle |
| Veins | Blood vessels that carry blood to the heart |
| Zygomatic Arch | Arch formed when the temporal process of the zygomatic bone articulates with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone |
