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

 

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Oral Facial Anatomy Online Copyright © 2024 by susanhenderson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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