Key Terms
When learning about head and neck anatomy, 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 |
| Anatomic Position | The body standing erect face forward, feet together, arms hanging at the sides, and palms forward |
| Anterior | Toward the front |
| Buccal | Region of the head that refers to structures closest to the inner cheek |
| Condyloid Process | The posterior process of each ramus; articulates with a fossa in the temporal bones to form the temporomandibular joint; also known as the mandibular condyle |
| Coronal Suture | Line of articulation between the frontal bone and parietal bones |
| Cranium | Eight bones that cover and protect the brain |
| Deep | Closer to the bodies core |
| Distal | Farther away from the trunk of the body; opposite of proximal |
| Foramen | Small round opening in a bone through which blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments pass; plural, foramina |
| Foramen Magnum | Large opening in the occipital bone that connects the vertical canal and the cranial cavity |
| Fossa | Hollow, grooved, or depressed area in a bone |
| Frontal | Area superior to the eyes, includes the forehead extending to the top of the head |
| Inferior | Structures that are closer to the feet |
| Infraorbital | Region of the head below the orbital region |
| Lateral | Toward or from the side |
| Mastoid Process | Projection on the temporal bone located behind the ear |
| Maxillary Tuberosity | Large, rounded area on the outer surface of the maxillary bones in the area of the posterior teeth |
| Meatus | External opening of a canal |
| Mental | Region of the head pertaining to or located near the chin |
| Mental Protuberance | Part of the mandible that forms the chin |
| Medial | Toward or nearer to the midline of the body |
| Midline | Imaginary vertical line that divides the body into left and right mirror-image halves |
| Nasal | Region of the head that pertains to or is located near the nose |
| Nasal Conchae | Projecting structures found in each lateral wall of the nasal cavity and extending inward from the maxilla; singular, concha |
| Occipital | Region of the head overlying the occipital bone and covered by the scalp |
| Oral | Region of the head pertaining to or located near the mouth |
| Orbital | Region of the head pertaining to or located around the eye |
| Parietal | Pertaining to the walls of a body cavity |
| Posterior | Toward the back |
| Process | Prominence or projection on a bone |
| Pterygoid Process | Process of the sphenoid bone, consisting of two plates |
| Sagittal Suture | Suture that is located at the midline of the skull, where the two parietal bones are joined |
| Styloid Process | Process that extends from the undersurface of the temporal bone |
| Superior | Above another portion, or closer to the head |
| Superficial | On or near the surface |
| Temporal | Region of the head superior to the zygomatic arch |
| Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) | Joint on each side of head that allows movement of the mandible |
| Zygomatic | Region of the head pertaining to or located near the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) |
| Zygomatic Arch | Arch formed when the temporal process of the zygomatic bone articulates with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone |
