The largest cranial nerve in man, the trigeminal nerve has 3 major divisions: ophthalmic (CN Va/V1), maxillary (CN Vb/V2) and mandibular (CN Vc/V3). While CN V is primarily mediates tactile and nociceptive/thermal sensation of the face, CN Vc also has motor function in innervating the muscles of mastication. Course The trigeminal nerve leaves the brainstem as a large sensory root, and a small, medial motor … Continue reading Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Parasympathetic supply to the head and neck stems from four parasympathetic ganglia, which receives fibres from CN III, VII and IX. CN X also has parasympathetic function but is mainly concerned with below the neck. Sympathetic (from the superior cervical ganglion) and sensory fibres also pass through the ganglia (without synapsing). They are therefore involved in autonomic control of the eye, salivary glands and lacrimal … Continue reading Parasympathetic innervation of head & neck
Each roughly diamond-shaped zygomatic bone forms the anterolateral edge of their respective bony orbit. They are composed of the frontal, maxillary and temporal processes which articulate with the corresponding skull bones. In particular, the temporal process joins the zygomatic process of the temporal bone to form the zygomatic arch. Continue reading Zygomatic bones
The paired maxillae primarily contribute to the nasal cavity and roof of the mouth. Each contain a maxillary sinus (one of the paranasal sinuses) that drains into the middle meatus. The bone has four processes: frontal process: articulates with the frontal bone and forms anterolateral sides of the nasal cavity plus anteromedial edges of the bony orbit alveolar process: a thickened ridge on the inferior … Continue reading Maxilla
A typical vertebra has an anterior body, two pedicles and two laminae which unite to form a ring bone from which a spinous process protrudes posteriorly and two transverse processes protrude laterally. The first and second cervical vertebra, the atlas and axis however, are atypical. The atlas no body, but instead has a short and thick anterior arch and a longer posterior arch (grooved superiorly … Continue reading Atlas & axis (C1, 2)
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