Skull Bones Mnemonic (Cranial and Facial Bones) | Anatomy and Physiology

Summary

In this educational video, Registered Nurse Orion Column explores the 22 skull bones, which are part of the axial skeleton and can be divided into eight cranial and 14 facial bones. The cranial bones include single bones like the frontal and occipital, along with pairs like the parietal and temporal bones. The facial bones are mostly pairs, except for the mandible and vomer. The video uses mnemonics like 'Ethan's fried Spanish pasta tempted octavia' to help viewers remember these bones and touches on associated bones like the hyoid and auditory ossicles, offering a free quiz for further learning.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The human skull consists of 22 bones, divided into 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones.
• 🦴 Cranial bones are mostly single bones except for two pairs: the parietal and temporal bones.
• 😄 The parietal bones form the sidewalls of the cranium, and the temporal bones are located below them.
• 👀 The frontal bone is located at the forehead and protects the frontal lobe of the brain.
• 🦋 The sphenoid bone, shaped like a butterfly, spans the entire width of the cranium and is connected to all the cranial bones.
• 🧊 The ethmoid bone, located between the sphenoid and nasal bones, has a 'strainer-like' structure and is mostly enclosed.
• 🔙 The occipital bone is at the back of the head and covers the occipital lobe, which processes visual information.
• 💪 The mandible, or jawbone, is the strongest facial bone and is one of the two single facial bones, alongside the vomer.
• 👃 The nasal bones form the bridge of the nose, while the inferior nasal concha are shell-shaped bones in the lower part of the nose.
• 👂 The auditory ossicles, or ear bones, consist of three small bones in each ear: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup).

Q & A

What are the two main portions of the 22 skull bones?

The 22 skull bones are divided into two main portions: the eight cranial bones and the 14 facial bones.

How can you differentiate between cranial and facial bones in terms of pairs and single bones?

Cranial bones are mostly single bones, except for two pairs (parietal and temporal bones), while facial bones are mostly pairs, except for two single bones (mandible and vomer).

Which cranial bones are paired, and how can you remember them?

The paired cranial bones are the parietal and temporal bones. You can remember the parietal bones by associating 'parietal' with 'pair,' and the temporal bones are located near the temples.

What is the function of the frontal bone, and how can it be easily remembered?

The frontal bone makes up the front of the cranium and covers the frontal lobe of the brain. It can be easily remembered because 'frontal' and 'forehead' both start with the letter F.

What is unique about the sphenoid bone, and why is it compared to a specter?

The sphenoid bone is a butterfly-shaped bone that spans the entire width of the cranium and articulates with all the cranial bones. It is compared to a 'specter' because it looks like a ghost when viewed from the side.

What is the function of the ethmoid bone, and how is its structure described?

The ethmoid bone is located between the nasal and sphenoid bones and helps filter the air through tiny holes in its cribriform plate, which resembles a strainer. It is only partially visible when viewed from the front of the skull.

What mnemonic can help remember the cranial bones?

A mnemonic to remember the cranial bones is: 'Ethan’s Fried Spanish Pasta Tempted Octavia,' which stands for Ethmoid, Frontal, Sphenoid, Parietal, Temporal, and Occipital.

What are the two single bones in the facial region, and how can they be remembered?

The two single facial bones are the mandible and vomer. The mandible can be remembered by associating it with a 'manly jawline,' and the vomer is named after an ancient word meaning 'ploughshare' because of its shape.

What is the function of the zygomatic bones, and how are they commonly known?

The zygomatic bones are responsible for forming the cheekbones and are commonly known as the bones that give structure to the cheeks.

What additional bones are considered associated with the skull, but not technically part of it?

The hyoid bone, which helps with swallowing, and the auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) in the ear are considered associated bones but are not technically part of the skull.