OSTEOLOGIA DE LA CARA Dr. ALDANA

Osteology of the Face

Nasal Structures and Sutures

• The study begins with the naso-frontal suture, highlighting the nasion as a crucial cranial measurement point.

• Discussion on the internasal suture and its relation to nasal bones, including the nasolobular foramen where sensory nerves pass.

• The anterior border of the maxilla forms a heart-shaped anterior nasal aperture, significant in facial anatomy.

Maxillary Anatomy

• The intermaxillary suture is noted, with details on alveolar processes and their role in dental articulation (gonfosis).

• Introduction of the pyramidal process of the maxilla, articulating with zygomatic bone; its structure includes a canine fossa and infraorbital canal.

• The formation of the hard palate involves palatine processes from both maxillae, leading to an incisive canal for nerve passage.

Palatine Bone Features

• Description of horizontal plates forming posterior nasal spine and foramina for vascular structures, including greater and lesser palatine foramina.

• Vertical plate features are discussed, including turbinate crests that support inferior and middle nasal conchae.

Bony Structures in Nasal Cavity

• Examination of the bomer bone, part of the nasal septum, articulating with sphenoid body to form esphenovomerian joint.

Zygomatic Bone Characteristics

• Overview of zygomatic bone's four processes: frontal, maxillary, temporal; critical for understanding facial fractures (Lefort type 3).

• Identification of zygomaticofacial foramen as a passageway for neurovascular bundles.

Inferior Nasal Conchae

Anatomy of the Mandible

Overview of Mandibular Structure

• The mandible features an ascending ramus and a gonion (mandibular angle), with the upper border housing the alveolar process. The lower border contains gastric foveae for the insertion of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle.

• Key cranial landmarks include the nation point, mental foramen located at premolar level, and external oblique line where facial muscles attach. The posterior body of the mandible has superior genial tubercles for genioglossus muscle attachment and inferior genial tubercles for geniohyoid muscle attachment.

Internal Features and Muscle Attachments

• The internal oblique line (mylohyoid line) serves as an attachment site for the mylohyoid muscle, while below it lies the submandibular fossa accommodating the submandibular gland. Adjacent to this is the sublingual fossa which houses another salivary gland.

• On examining the external surface of the ascending ramus, slight roughness indicates areas for masseter muscle attachment. The coronoid process at its top provides an insertion point for temporalis muscle.

Articulatory Structures

• The sigmoid notch and condylar process are crucial in articulating with glenoid cavity. Internally, near condylar neck is pterygoid fovea facilitating lateral pterygoid muscle attachment. Additionally, there are medial pterygoid attachments on gonion's inner surface.

Neurovascular Considerations

• The inferior alveolar canal runs through mandible carrying neurovascular bundles; also noted is Spix spine or mandibular lingula where sphenomandibular ligament attaches. A canal named mylohyoid allows passage for associated structures.