Lesson objectives

Jaws – maxilla,
Discuss different The TMJ
mandible and
bones of the face (temporomandibular
surrounding
and cranium joint)
structures

Muscles of
mastication and
facial expression
 Anatomy of the skull

• The skull is formed of:

• Cranium - surrounds the brain
• Face -the front vertical part
• Jaws - the upper and lower jaws of
the oral cavity, supporting the teeth
and the tongue.
• Upper jaw - maxilla
• Lower jaw- mandible
Anatomy of the skull

• All the bones are fixed to each other by CORONOID

SUTURES

Bone structure:
• Outer layer of the bone - compact bone (hard)

• Inner layer - cancellous bone (sponge-like)

Foramen Magnum

• The outer layer of the bone is perforated by many natural

bony openings – foramina

• Foramen (pl. foramina)= passageway for nerves and

blood vessels

• The largest foramen in the cranium → Foramen Magnum

The cranium

• Is composed of 8 bones

• Frontal bone
• Parietal bones
• Temporal bones
• Occipital bone
• Sphenoid bone
• Ethmoid bone
 The face

composed of 11 bones:

• Vomer x1
• Lacrimal bones x2
• Nasal bones x2
• Nasal turbinates x2
• Palatine bones x2
• Zygomatic bones (cheek bone)x2
The jaws • Maxilla –forming the upper jaw
• Mandible –forming the lower jaw
 Maxilla

• The two maxilla bones themselves are

hollow within.
• Each hollow space is called maxillary
antrum = (sinus)
Risks associated with the
maxilla

• This hollow space can be easily perforated during

the extraction of certain teeth, causing an
unwanted communication between the mouth
and the sinus called an oroantral fistula.

• Teeth at risk: the upper molars and second

premolar tooth. (8,7,6,5)
Risks associated with the
maxilla

▪ There is another risk associated with wisdom

teeth only:
▪ maxillary tuberosity, this can be fractured
off during difficult upper wisdom teeth
extractions.
Maxillary 1. Infraorbital foramen – beneath the eye socket

foramina 2.
3.
Greater and lesser palatine foramina – at the back of hard palate
Incisive foramen – at the front center of the hard palate
 The mandible

▪Made of two bones, joined together in the

centre-line at the mental symphysis

Sections of the mandible

• The vertical section → RAMUS
• The horizontal section → BODY
• The point in which they join → ANGLE
 1. Mandibular foramen (inner side of the mandible)
Foramina of the 2. Mental foramen (outer surface of the mandible)
mandible
 Activity-
identify the
components
of the skull
 TMJ
• The mandible is connected to the skull by two
temporomandibular joints (TMJ)
• Movement: the bone moves as a hinge joint to allow the
mouth to open and close.

TMJ is formed of 2 parts:

The cranial part – temporal bone
The mandibular part – head of condyle
 Temporomandibular joint

When mouth is shut, the head of condyle rests in

the hollow space called glenoid fossa.

There is a small ridge in front of the glenoid fossa

known as the articular eminence

Meniscus – a disc of fibrous tissue. (also called

articular disc)
Temporomandibular joint
 Disorders of the
TMJ

• Clenching/grinding the teeth → is called

BRUXISM.

• This leads to a type of tooth wear- attrition

• → requires anti-inflammatories to relieve the

painful symptoms
Muscles of
mastication
• Mastication is the chewing of food
• There are 4 sets of muscles
• mouth closing, jaw clenching and chewing.

• Temporalis
• Masseter
• Lateral pterygoid
• Medial pterygoid
 Muscle of
mastication
• Temporalis → closes the
mandible, pulls the mandible
backwards
• Masseter → closes the mandible
• Lateral pterygoid →
• Moves the front teeth tip to tip
• Glides the mandible side to
side
• Medial pterygoid → closes the
mandible
 Mouth opening muscles

• Different muscles for mouth opening.

• Mouth opening and swallowing actions→ suprahyoid
muscles:

• anterior digastric
• mylohyoid – forms the floor of the mouth
• Geniohyoid

• The muscle of the cheek = BUCCINATOR (chewing,

smiling)
Muscles of facial
expression
• Can only cause skin
movement

• Orbicularis oculi – around the

eyes
• Orbicularis oris – around the
mouth
• Buccinator – the cheek
muscle (chewing and smiling)
Questions?
Basic terminology link - Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Anatomy (3D Anatomy Tutorial) –
YouTube
Link of the 3D animation - BioDigital Human: Explore the Body in 3D!

Levison’s textbook: chapter 9 (first part)

Q&A book: chapter 8a