Facial Skeleton

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Description and Overview

Facial Bones

Facial Skeleton - Frontal View

The skull is the most intricate bony structure of the body. It is made up of 28 individual bones, out of which 11 are paired and 6 are single . The skull formation is divided into 2 parts:

1. The Viscerocranium (the facial skeleton) - goes to develop the bones of the face. This is the portion of the skull related to the digestive and respiratory systems
2. The Neurocranium (the brain case) - goes to develop the bones of the cranial base and cranial vault. This portion provides protection to the brain and to the 5 organs of special senses: Olfaction, vision, taste, vestibular function and auditory function.

The Viscerocranium is further divided into:

1. The membranous viscerocranium, comprising the facial skeleton. It is the foundation on which the facial muscles attach.
2. The cartilaginous viscerocranium, comprising the splanchnocranium.

In this article, we will cover the facial skeleton.

Structure

Since the facial skeleton is the foundation for the facial muscles, it is not inaccurate to say it helps in determining an individual's facial appearance.

It is made up of 14 bones which integrate to house the orbits of the eyes, nasal and oral cavities along with the sinuses. The facial skeleton consists of:

Frontal bone

Frontal bone

This forms the forehead region of the face housing the frontal sinuses. It forms the roof of the ethmoid sinuses, nose and orbit (for the eye)

Characteristics -

• there is only 1 frontal bone
• it contains the frontal paranasal sinuses.
• in the 2nd year, houses 2 primary centres that ossify along the frontal suture.
• helps form the foramen cecum.

Parts and Ossification -

• has 3 parts and all the 3 parts have a membranous ossification.

1. Squamous portion - forms the largest portion of the frontal bone, including forming majority of the forehead. Also forms the supraorbital margin and the superciliary arch.
2. Orbital portion - forms the roof of the orbit and floor of the anterior cranial fossa.
3. Nasal portion - articulates with the nasal bones and the frontal process of the maxilla to form the root of the nose. The trochlea of the orbit articulates with the orbital portion.

Zygoma

Zygomatic bone 

The zygoma forms the lateral rim and wall of the orbit, and forms the anterior zygomatic arch.

Characteristics -

• also called the zygomatic bone, there are 2 of them.
• forms majority of the cheek skeleton.
• is the attachment for the masseter muscle.
• has 3 foramina : Zygomatico-orbital foramen, Zygomaticofacial foramen, Zygomaticotemporal foramen.

Parts and Ossification -

• has 3 processes and all the 3 ossify intramembranously.

1. Frontal process - articulates with the frontal bone to help form the orbit.
2. Temporal process - integrates with the zygomatic masseter process of the temporal bone to form the zygomatic arch.
3. Maxillary process - articulates with the zygomatic process of the maxillary bone to help form the orbit.

Maxilla

This forms the roof of the oral sinus, as well as housing the upper teeth. It also forms part of the roof and lateral wall of the nasal cavity.

Nasal bones

The nasal bones are a pair of bones which form the upper part of the nasal cavity. They articulate with the maxilla and the frontal bone.

Mandible

Also known as the Jaw Bone, the mandible is the only mobile bone of the facial skeleton.

It houses the lower teeth.

Small bones of the face

Inferior Conchae

This pair of small bones form part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.

Lacrymal Bones

These small, fragile bones lie in the antero-medial part of the orbit.

Palatine Bones

Together with the maxillae, these form the hard palate.

Vomer

This is an single bone (unpaired) which forms the inferior portion of the nasal septum.

Resources

2 part tutorial on Bones of the Facial Skeleton: