Head, Face & Eyes Anatomy

The skull and face are responsible for protecting the brain, a fundamental organ for human development. Headaches are common in a large number of people, while the causes and symptoms that produce them can vary depending on which part of the body is not working properly For this reason, it is important to know the anatomy of the head, eyes and face.

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Parts and anatomy of the head

Skull

• Frontal: The bone in the anterior and superior view of the skull. It is a central, symmetrical bone that is joined to the parietal, sphenoid, nasal, ethmoid, zygomatic, maxillary and lachrymal bones.
• Parietal: Two bones located in the anterolateral part of the skull. It is a large bone that covers a large part of the brain. It connects with the frontal, sphenoid, temporal and occipital bones,
• Temporal: Like the parietal bone, it is an even bone, but it is located in the anterior part of the skull. It is connected to the frontal, temporal, parietal and zygomatic bones of the face. It is located at the level of the temple.
• Occipital: This bone forms the base part of the skull, which connects to the atlas or first cervical vertebra of the spine. It also connects with the parietal and temporal bones.
• Sphenoid: This is a deep, odd bone located at the middle base of the skull. It connects with the frontal, temporal and occipital bones. The pituitary glands and meninges lie within this endocranial recess.
• Ethmoid: Its T-shape allows connection with the frontal, sphenoid, maxillary, nasal, lacrimal and facial mass.
• Occipitofrontal: This muscle is located in the posterior area of the head, from the epicranial fibrous membrane to the mastoid process of the temporalis. It is also known as the occipital belly.
• Temperoparietal: The temporalis fascia is covered by this muscle, which arises from the upper part of the skull (precisely in the aponeurotic galea) to its insertion in the helix of the ear.
• Sternocleidomastoid: This is a flat muscle located at the base of the temporal bone and develops to the sternal manubrium.
• Procerus: This muscle is responsible for moving the eyebrows downwards. It arises from the lower part of the frontal bone and inserts into the eyebrows.
• Superciliary corrugator: It is possible to wrinkle the forehead thanks to the action of this muscle. Its trajectory runs from the superciliary arch to the eyelid skin.
• Temporalis: Also known as crotaphites, it is a muscle that allows the elevation and retraction of the jaw bone. It runs from the inferior temporalis to the process of the lower jaw.

Face

• Upper jaw: It occupies a large portion of the face, is an even bone and is quadrilateral in shape. It is found in the central anterior part of the bones of the face, connecting with the zygomatic, frontal, lacrimal, nasal, ethmoid, vomer palatine and inferior turbinate. It gives rise to the upper teeth and molars.
• Lower jaw: It is also known as the mandible. It is the largest bone of the face, it is a pair and symmetrical. It has the joint with the most movements in the face in its posterior part. It is responsible for holding the teeth and molars underneath.
• Nasal: This paired bone is joined together by the septal cartilage, forming the external part of the nose. Its upper side connects with the frontal bone and the inner side with the ethmoid bone.
• Vomer: Part of the nasal septum, it is a single bone that divides the nose into two nostrils. It joins the upper jaw, the palatines, the ethmoid and the sphenoid.
• Turbinates: They can be divided into upper, middle and lower turbinates and form a bony structure inside the nose. They are located on the lateral side of the nostrils.
• Zygomatic or Malar: Constitutes part of the ocular orbit and the cheekbone of the face. It is a protruding bone that joins the maxilla, sphenoid, frontal and temporal bones.
• Orbicularis oculi: This can be divided into the orbital portion and the palpebral portion. This muscle arises from the frontalis, passing through the lacrimal canal to the skin of the eyelids. Its function is to close the eyelids.
• Nasal: This muscle can be found on the lateral aspect of the nose, as it originates in the upper jaw and inserts into the nasal bone. It elevates the turbinate bones of the nostrils and controls the movements of the tip of the nose.
• Levator labii superioris: This muscle is named after the action it performs. It arises from the infraorbital rim and inserts into the skin and muscle located in the upper lip.
• Lesser zygomatic muscle: This muscle of the face is a small tissue that arises from and inserts into the external face of the malar or zygomatic bone.
• Greater zygomatic: It runs from the temporal process to the corner of the mouth. Its job is to pull the skin around the mouth.
• Buccinator: This is a flat muscle located on the cheek of the face, it acts in mastication and compresses the cheeks. It originates in the upper jaw and inserts into the orbicularis oris muscle.
• Orbicularis oris of the mouth: The lips can be folded thanks to the action of the muscle, which has a trajectory from the upper jaw to the skin located in the labial commissure.
• Masseter: Its action allows the mouth to be closed and jaw movements to be controlled. This muscle runs from the zygomatic process to the anthropometric point of the mandible.
• Risorius: A small muscle located next to the orbicularis oris muscle of the mouth, it is characterised by retracting the corner of the mouth, which is part of the action of laughing in the person.
• Depressor labii inferioris: Like other muscles, this tissue is named after the action it performs. It develops from the lower jaw to the skin of the lower lip.
• Mentonian: It is responsible for lifting the skin on the chin. It arises and inserts in the lower part of the lips.
• Mouth angle depressor: The corner of the mouth can be depressed thanks to the action of this muscular tissue. It arises from the chin and inserts into the corner of the mouth.
• Platisma: It is responsible for lowering the jaw and tightening the skin when certain muscles of the face contract. It is a large muscle that originates in the subcutaneous part of the clavicle and inserts in the chin region.
• Pterygoid: A group of muscles responsible for chewing that arises from the sphenoid to the mandible, causing its depression and elevation.
• Sphenomandibular: This ligament allows the sphenoid to join the mandibular foramen and the maxillary vessels.
• Lateral ligament: This ligament is divided into two sections that allow the posterior aspect of the neck of the maxillary bone to be joined to the zygomatic bone.
• Pterygospinous: The spinous process of the sphenoid bone is joined to the lateral pterygoid by this tissue.
• Stylomandibular: Another short, thin ligament that allows the sphenoid to attach to the mandible.
• Stylohyoid: This is one of the longest ligaments that can be found on the face, as it facilitates the attachment of the hyoid bone to the styloid process of the temporal bone.
• Temporomandibular: This articular body is responsible for carrying out the movements between the mandible and the temporal bone. It is of the synovial type.

Eyes

• Lacrimal, lacrimal or unguis: This is a square-shaped plate that articulates on each of its four sides with the frontal, ethmoid, nasal and maxillary bones.
• Ethmoid: As mentioned above, this T-shaped bone creates the side of the orbital cavity of the eye.
• Other bones already discussed in the face: zygomatic, maxillary, palatine and sphenoid.
• Greater oblique: Allows movement of the eye in all directions, its course is from the back of the eye to the cartilaginous ring of the orbit.
• Lesser Oblique: Also part of the extrinsic musculature of the eye, but unlike the other muscles it inserts into the common tendinous ring or "Ring of Zinn".
• Superior rectus: Its name refers to the location of this muscle, at the top of the ocular orbit. It enables eye rotation and elevation movements.
• Rectus internus: This muscle tissue allows contraction of the eye socket, allowing the eye to turn in the direction of the nose.
• External rectus: The action of this muscle allows the eyeball to rotate in the opposite direction to the nose, known as abduction of the eye.
• Inferior rectus: This is the last of the group of six muscles that balance the movements of the globe. This tissue is responsible for rotating the eye downwards and allowing movement towards the middle of the eye.
• Lens suspensory: Also known as the ciliary zonule. This ligament made of carbohydrates and proteins stabilises the lens of the eye to improve focusing on near objects.