From the Guidelines
The human skull is composed of multiple distinct parts, including the cranium and facial bones, which work together to protect the brain and sensory organs. The cranium includes the frontal bone, two parietal bones, occipital bone, two temporal bones, sphenoid bone, and ethmoid bone, as described in the context of facial trauma imaging 1. The facial skeleton comprises the mandible, maxilla, zygomatic bones, nasal bones, lacrimal bones, palatine bones, inferior nasal conchae, and the vomer.
Some key parts of the skull include:
- The zygoma, which is prominent on the face and susceptible to injury, often resulting in fractures that may impinge on the mandible’s coronoid process or lead to cosmetic deformity requiring surgical repair 1
- The naso-orbital-ethmoid region, which can be fractured due to trauma to the upper nasal bridge, resulting in the telescoping of the nose and potential complications such as enophthalmos, telecanthus, lacrimal obstruction, and ptosis 1
- The maxilla, which can be injured in various patterns, including Le Fort I, Le Fort II, and Le Fort III fractures, often presenting with severe edema, periorbital ecchymosis, enophthalmos, facial asymmetry, and malocclusion 1
Understanding the different parts of the skull is crucial for diagnosing and treating facial trauma, as well as for appreciating the complex anatomy of the human head. The arrangement of these bones provides structural support, protects vital organs, and creates attachment points for facial muscles essential for expressions, speech, and eating. Injuries to the midface, such as zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures and naso-orbital-ethmoid fractures, can have significant consequences if not properly treated, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and management 1.
From the Research
Overview of the Skull
The skull is a complex structure composed of several parts, including:
- Cranium: The upper part of the skull that encloses the brain
- Face: The front part of the skull that includes the eyes, nose, mouth, and jaw
- Mandible: The lower jawbone
- Maxilla: The upper jawbone
Parts of the Cranium
The cranium is further divided into several parts, including:
- Frontal bone: The front part of the cranium
- Parietal bone: The side parts of the cranium
- Occipital bone: The back part of the cranium
- Temporal bone: The lower side parts of the cranium
- Sphenoid bone: The wing-shaped bone behind the nasal cavity
- Ethmoid bone: The spongy bone between the nasal cavity and the eye socket
Skull Fractures
Skull fractures can occur due to traumatic head injury, and can be detected using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans 2, 3, 4. CT scans are more sensitive in detecting skull fractures, while MRI scans are more sensitive in detecting intracranial injuries such as diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and intracranial hemorrhage.
Intracranial Injuries
Intracranial injuries can occur due to traumatic head injury, and can include:
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI): A type of brain injury caused by shearing forces that damage the brain's axons
- Intracranial hemorrhage: Bleeding within the brain or between the brain and the skull
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Bleeding into the space between the brain and the arachnoid membrane
- Subdural hematoma: Bleeding into the space between the brain and the dura mater
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of skull fractures and intracranial injuries typically involves CT or MRI scans, and treatment may involve surgery, medication, or other interventions 5, 6. It is essential to follow guidelines and protocols for the management of head injuries to ensure optimal outcomes.