The Skull Facial: Cranial: mandible maxillae (2) frontal bone palatine bone (2) zygomatic bone (2) nasal bone (2) lacrimal bone (2) vomer inferior nasal conchae (2) Cranial: frontal bone parietal bone (2) temporal bone (2) occipital bone sphenoid bone (sfee-noid) ethmoid bone (eth-moid)

Frontal Bone The main functions of the frontal bone are protection of the brain and support of the face. The frontal bones consists of two parts: The vertical portion that corresponds with the forehead and the horizontal portion that correlates with the roofs of the orbital (eye) and nasal (nose) cavities

Parietal Bones The two parietal bones are connected and make up part of the roof and sides of the human skull. Functions include protection of the brain and support of the face. Each parietal bone consists of four borders and four angles.

Temporal Bones The temporal bones are situated on the bases and sides of the skull, parallel to the temporal lobes of the brain. The primary functions of the temporal bones are protection of the brain and support of the face, specifically the temples.

Occipital Bone The occipital bone is a trapezoidal, curvy shaped bone located at the rear of the cranium. Protects the brain and supports the head (specifically the back of the head). Contains a gap that allows the cranial cavity to communicate with the vertebral column. (foramen magnum)

Sphenoid Bone The sphenoid bone is located at the base of the skull and behind the eye socket. This bone is a wedge-like bone located in front of the temporal bone and is one of several bones that form the eye socket (orbit). The sphenoid bone’s shape can be compared to the shape of a butterfly or bat.

Ethmoid bone The ethmoid bone is a square or cubical shaped bone located at the top of the nose and in between the two eye sockets. The main functions are the protection of vital organs in the region and support of the nose and orbits (eye sockets). many birds have magnenite deposits in their ethmoid bones that allow them to detect the earth’s magnetic field.

The Facial Bones

Volmer

Mandible function is support of the lower part of the face and holding the bottom half of the teeth in place. The mandible is essential for movement of the mouth.

Maxilla Bones The function of the maxilla is to provide protection of the face, support of the orbits, hold the top half of the teeth in place, and form the floor of the nose.

Palatine Bones The palatine bone functions in protection of organs in the region and the formation of the roof of the mouth and floor of the eye socket.

Zygomatic Bones The zygomatic bone, also known as the cheek bone or malar bone, supports the region of the face known as the cheek, protects organs in the area, and forms part of the orbit.

Nasal Bones Supports the nose and formation of the nose bridge

Lacrimal Bones The lacrimal bone is located in the medial wall of the eye socket and this bone is the smallest bone of the face. The main function of the lacrimal bone is forming part of the orbit / eye socket.

Inferior Nasal Concha The primary function of the nasal concha is the filtering of air. As air enters the nasal cavity during breathing, the nasal concha forces the air to go through mucous and cilia, thus effectively filtering and warming the air.