Bone Structure of the Face

Figure 1 identifies the various bone structures of the head and face. Correctly visualizing the bone structures of the face and head aids in palpation techniques when conducting a head and neck examination on the patient.

Figure 1. Human Skull.

Figure 1. Human Skull.

• Ethmoid – Midline cranial bone.

• Frontal – Bone that forms the forehead.

• Lacrimal – Paired bones that form the wall of the orbit.

• Mandible – Bone that forms the lower jaw.

• Maxilla – Bone that forms the upper jaw.

• Nasal – Paired bones that form the bridge of the nose.

• Occipital – Bone that forms the posterior portion of the head.

• Parietal – Paired bones at the top of the skull. They articulate with each other and other bones in the skull.

• Sphenoid – Midline bone that has several processes associated with it.

• Temporal – Paired bones that form the lateral walls of the skull and articulate with the mandible at the temporomandibular joint.

• Zygomatic – Paired facial bones that form the cheeks.