Head And Neck Anatomy Quiz

The trigeminal nerve is responsible for innervating the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This nerve is the fifth cranial nerve and is the largest sensory nerve in the head. It has three main branches: the ophthalmic branch, the maxillary branch, and the mandibular branch. The mandibular branch specifically innervates the muscles of mastication, including the muscles that control the TMJ. Therefore, the trigeminal nerve is the correct answer for this question.

The neurocranium is the part of the skull that surrounds and protects the brain. The frontal bone, parietal bone, and occipital bone are all part of the neurocranium. These bones form the front, top, and back of the skull respectively. Therefore, the correct answer includes the frontal bone, parietal bone, and occipital bone.

The retromandibular vein is formed by the merger of the superficial temporal vein and the maxillary vein. This vein is located at the back of the mandible and is responsible for draining blood from the face and scalp. It then joins with the posterior auricular vein to form the external jugular vein. Therefore, the correct answer is retromandibular.

The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is responsible for the movement of the jaw. Contraction is not a movement of the TMJ. Contraction refers to the shortening or tightening of muscles, whereas the movements of the TMJ include depression (opening the jaw), elevation (closing the jaw), projection (forward movement), retraction (backward movement), and lateral movement (sideways movement).

The mandibular symphysis is a faint ridge noted where the right and left mandibular processes fused together in early childhood. This fusion creates a bony prominence in the midline of the mandible, which is known as the mandibular symphysis. It serves as the point of attachment for various muscles involved in chewing and speaking. The other options, such as the mylohyoid line, mental protuberance, and external oblique line, are anatomical landmarks on the mandible, but they do not specifically refer to the fusion of the mandibular processes.

The depressor anguli oris muscle is responsible for causing a frown when contracted. This muscle pulls the corners of the mouth downward, creating a downward movement of the lips and a frowning expression. The other muscles listed either have different functions or are not involved in causing a frown.

The occipital bone forms the jugular foramen along with the jugular notch of the temporal bone. The jugular foramen is a large opening in the base of the skull that allows the passage of important structures such as the internal jugular vein, glossopharyngeal nerve, vagus nerve, and accessory nerve.

The articular fossa is located on the temporal bone. The temporal bone is a bone on the side of the skull, and the articular fossa is a depression on this bone that forms part of the temporomandibular joint. It is the site where the mandible (lower jaw) articulates with the temporal bone, allowing for movement of the jaw. The condyle, coronoid notch, and external oblique line are not located on the temporal bone.

A process is a projection or prominence on a bone. In this case, the question is asking for a large, roughened projection on the petrous part of the temporal bone. Therefore, the correct answer is "process."

The superior longitudinal muscle is considered to be an intrinsic tongue muscle. Intrinsic tongue muscles are responsible for controlling the shape and movement of the tongue. The superior longitudinal muscle runs along the upper surface of the tongue and is involved in actions such as elevating the tip of the tongue and curling the sides of the tongue upward. The other muscle pairs listed (genioglossus, styloglossus, and hyoglossus) are all extrinsic tongue muscles, meaning they attach to structures outside of the tongue and are involved in movements such as protruding, retracting, and elevating the entire tongue.

When a clot on the inner blood vessel wall becomes dislodged and travels in the vessel, it can cause a vascular lesion called an embolus. An embolus is a clot that moves through the bloodstream and can block blood flow to vital organs or tissues, leading to various complications depending on the location and size of the embolus. This can result in serious medical conditions such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, or myocardial infarction. Therefore, an embolus is the correct answer in this scenario.

When both sternocleidomastoid muscles are used by the patient, the head flexes at the neck. The sternocleidomastoid muscles are located on either side of the neck and are responsible for various movements of the head and neck. When both muscles contract simultaneously, they cause the head to flex forward at the neck joint, bringing the chin closer to the chest. This movement is commonly observed during activities such as looking down or bending the head forward.

The mylohyoid muscles are paired muscles that unite medially, forming the floor of the mouth. They are located on either side of the midline and are responsible for raising the floor of the mouth during swallowing and speaking. The geniohyoid, omohyoid, and digastric muscles are not involved in forming the floor of the mouth.

The maxillary tuberosity is the area immediately posterior to the most distal tooth in the upper arch of the dentition. It is a rounded prominence of bone located on the posterior aspect of the maxilla, behind the last molar tooth. This area provides support for the denture and is an important anatomical landmark for dental procedures such as denture fabrication and implant placement.

The frontal bone in the interior cranial view surrounds another smaller "walnut-shaped" bone called the ethmoid bone.

The styloid process is located just inferior and medial to the external acoustic meatus. It is a slender, pointed projection of bone that extends downwards from the temporal bone of the skull. It serves as an attachment point for several muscles and ligaments in the neck and throat region.

A displaced disc of the TMJ usually lies anterior to its usual position.

The infrahyoid muscles are innervated by the cervical nerves. These muscles are located below the hyoid bone and are responsible for controlling the movement of the hyoid bone and the larynx. They play a role in swallowing and speaking. The muscles of mastication, muscles of facial expression, suprahyoid muscles, and intrinsic tongue muscles are not innervated by the cervical nerves, but by other nerves in the face and neck.

The sphenomandibular ligament actually plays a crucial role in supporting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by serving as an internal brace. It helps limit excessive movements and provides stability to the joint, although it is not attached to the capsule directly like the temporomandibular ligament. It runs from the sphenoid bone to the mandible, effectively providing indirect support to the joint by controlling the range of motion and aiding in load distribution, which inadvertently supports the joint capsule’s function.

A venous sinus within the vascular system refers to a blood filled space between two tissue layers. This means that it is a cavity or channel filled with blood that is located between two layers of tissue. Venous sinuses are commonly found in various parts of the body, such as the brain, where they help with the drainage of blood. They play an important role in maintaining proper blood flow and circulation within the body.

The pterygoid plexus is a network of veins located in the pterygopalatine fossa, which is near the maxillary and mandibular dental tissue. It functions to drain the blood from these dental tissues, allowing for proper circulation and preventing congestion. Therefore, the given description that the pterygoid plexus drains the maxillary and mandibular dental tissue is correct.

The superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle inserts on the median pharyngeal raphe. This means that it attaches to the midline of the pharynx, specifically to the raphe, which is a fibrous band that runs along the back of the pharynx. The muscle helps to constrict and narrow the pharynx during swallowing, aiding in the movement of food from the mouth to the esophagus.

The concavity noted on the anterior border of the coronoid process of the ramus is called the coronoid notch. This term refers to the specific anatomical feature that can be observed on the front edge of the coronoid process. The other options, including the mandibular notch, temporal fossa, and infratemporal fossa, do not accurately describe the concavity in question.

The submandibular gland does not rest on the mandible. It is actually located beneath the mandible, in the submandibular triangle of the neck.

The origin of a muscle is considered to be the muscle end attached to the least movable structure. This is because the origin of a muscle is typically the point where the muscle attaches to a bone or other structure that is relatively stable and does not move much during muscle contraction. The other option, the muscle end attached to the most movable structure, would be the insertion point of the muscle, which is typically the point where the muscle attaches to a bone or structure that moves more during muscle contraction.

The masseter muscle is a powerful muscle of mastication that helps in closing the jaw during chewing. It originates from the zygomatic arch, which is a bony structure located on the side of the skull. The muscle inserts on the lateral surface of the mandible, not the medial surface as mentioned in the question. Therefore, the statement "originates from the zygomatic arch" is correct.

The maxillary artery arises from the external carotid artery, not the internal carotid artery. It enters the pterygopalatine fossa and gives rise to various terminal branches, including the middle meningeal artery, infraorbital artery, and posterior superior alveolar artery. Therefore, the correct answer is that it enters the pterygopalatine fossa and forms terminal branches.

The palatoglossus muscle forms the anterior faucial pillar in the oral cavity. It is a muscle located in the throat that connects the soft palate to the tongue. When contracted, it helps in elevating the back of the tongue and closing off the oral cavity from the pharynx. This muscle plays a role in swallowing and speaking.

The genioglossus muscle helps prevent the tongue from sinking back and obstructing respiration. This muscle is located at the base of the tongue and plays a crucial role in maintaining an open airway during breathing. When the genioglossus muscle contracts, it moves the tongue forward, preventing it from falling back and blocking the throat. This muscle is especially active during sleep to prevent sleep apnea and maintain proper airflow.

The statement is true because the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is indeed a compound joint. It is considered compound because it is formed by the articulation of two bones, the mandible (lower jaw) and the temporal bone of the skull. This joint allows for both hinge-like movement (ginglymoid) and sliding movement (arthrodial), making it a compound ginglymodiathroadial joint.

The postglenoid process is located posterior to the articular fossa in the region of the TMJ. It is a bony projection that serves as an attachment site for the lateral pterygoid muscle, which plays a role in the movement of the jaw. The articular eminence, on the other hand, is located anterior to the articular fossa and acts as a guide for the movement of the mandible. The bony separation of the nasal septum and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone are not directly related to the TMJ or its posterior region.

The mylohyoid artery arises from the inferior alveolar artery before it enters the mandibular canal. This artery supplies blood to the mylohyoid muscle, which is responsible for elevating the hyoid bone and assisting in swallowing and speaking. The incisive artery supplies blood to the incisor teeth and their surrounding tissues. The mental artery supplies blood to the chin and lower lip. The PSA (posterior superior alveolar) artery supplies blood to the maxillary molars and surrounding tissues.

The superior labial artery is a branch from the facial artery. It supplies blood to the upper lip and the nasal septum.

The correct answer is the supraorbital ridge. The lacrimal gland is located just inside the lateral part of the supraorbital ridge. The supraorbital ridge is a bony ridge located above the eye socket (orbit) and helps protect the eye. It is also the site where the supraorbital nerve and artery pass through. The glabella is the smooth area between the eyebrows, the supraorbital notch is a small notch or opening in the supraorbital ridge, and the nasion is the depression at the bridge of the nose.

As a person ages, the temperomandibular disc, which is a structure in the jaw joint, can possibly develop perforations. This means that small holes or tears may form in the disc over time. This can lead to pain, discomfort, and difficulty with jaw movement. The other options, increased blood supply, fewer calcifications, and thickening of structure, do not typically occur with aging in relation to the temperomandibular disc.

The maxilla is a bone in the skull that forms part of the eye socket. The inferior orbital fissure is a small opening located in the maxilla bone. It is formed by the junction of the maxilla bone with the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. Therefore, the correct answer is the inferior orbital fissure.

The maxillary artery is the larger terminal branch of the external carotid artery. It is responsible for supplying blood to the deep structures of the face, including the muscles of mastication, the teeth, and the nasal cavity. It also gives off several important branches, such as the middle meningeal artery, the inferior alveolar artery, and the posterior superior alveolar artery. The other options listed are also branches of the external carotid artery, but they are not as large or significant as the maxillary artery.

The brachiocephalic veins are large veins that drain blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs. They unite to form the superior vena cava, which is a major vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium of the heart. The superior vena cava is responsible for returning blood from the upper body back to the heart, making it the correct answer in this case.

The correct answer is articular eminence, articular fossa, postglenoid process. The articular eminence is the most anterior structure within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), followed by the articular fossa, and then the postglenoid process, which is the most posterior structure.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located in the squamous part of the temporal bone. The squamous part is the flat, scale-like portion of the bone that forms the side of the skull. It is situated above the ear and houses important structures such as the TMJ, which is responsible for jaw movement and is involved in chewing, speaking, and other functions.

The occipital condyles are located on the lateral and anterior sides of the foramen magnum.

The mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve innervates the temporalis muscle. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for providing sensory and motor innervation to the face and head. The mandibular branch specifically supplies motor innervation to the muscles of mastication, including the temporalis muscle. This muscle is involved in the movement of the jaw during chewing and is innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

The risorius muscle is used when a patient grimaces. This muscle is located in the face and is responsible for pulling the corners of the mouth laterally. When a person grimaces, the risorius muscle contracts, causing the corners of the mouth to be pulled back towards the ears. This action creates a facial expression that is often associated with pain, disgust, or discomfort.

The muscles of the pharynx are not involved in closing the jaws or facial expression. The correct answer is middle ear function because the pharyngeal muscles play a role in the opening and closing of the auditory tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. This helps regulate pressure in the middle ear and allows for equalization, which is important for proper hearing. Stabilization of the mandible is not directly related to the pharyngeal muscles.

The incorrect statement is "Disc is attached anteriorly and posteriorly to the condyle." The disc is actually attached anteriorly to the articular eminence of the temporal bone and posteriorly to the posterior band of the joint capsule.

The carotid pulse can be palpated by emergency medical service personnel at the level of the thyroid cartilage. The thyroid cartilage is located in the neck, just above the hyoid bone and below the angle of the mandible. It is easily identifiable as the "Adam's apple" in males. Palpating the carotid pulse at this level allows for accurate assessment of the pulse rate and rhythm, which is important in emergency situations. The hyoid bone, angle of the mandible, and supraclavicular fossa are not accurate landmarks for palpating the carotid pulse.

The tongue is mainly supplied by branches from the external carotid artery. The external carotid artery is a major blood vessel that supplies blood to the face and neck region. It gives off several branches, including the lingual artery, which supplies blood to the tongue. This artery provides oxygenated blood to the tongue muscles and tissues, allowing them to function properly.

The mentalis muscle is located in the chin area and is responsible for controlling the movements of the lower lip and chin. When this muscle contracts, it can cause the oral vestibule (the space between the lips and teeth) to become more shallow. This can make dental work difficult as it restricts access to the teeth and makes it harder for the dentist to maneuver their instruments.

The correct answer is transverse because it is the only muscle pair listed that is divided by a median septum. The other muscles listed, geniohyoid, masseter, and digastric, are not divided by a median septum.

The question asks for a skull bone that is paired, meaning it exists on both sides of the skull. The parietal bones, temporal bone, inferior nasal conchae, lacrimal bones, maxillae, and zygomatic bones are all paired bones.

The sphenomandibular ligament is the only ligament associated with the TMJ that has the inferior alveolar nerve descend nearby to gain access to the mandibular foramen. The stylomandibular ligament is not involved in this process, and the temperomandibular ligament does not have the inferior alveolar nerve descending nearby. Therefore, the correct answer is the sphenomandibular ligament only.

The posterior superior alveolar artery is located within the infratemporal fossa. The infratemporal fossa is a space located deep to the zygomatic arch and lateral to the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. It contains various structures including muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. The posterior superior alveolar artery is a branch of the maxillary artery and it supplies blood to the maxillary molars and surrounding structures.

During both mandibular protrusion and retraction, the rotation of the articulating surface of the mandible against the disc in the lower synovial cavity is prevented by the muscles of mastication. These muscles, including the masseter, temporalis, and medial pterygoid, attach to the mandible and work together to control its movement. By contracting and relaxing, these muscles help to stabilize the mandible and maintain the proper alignment of the articulating surfaces, preventing rotation against the disc in the TMJ. The facial muscles, infrahyoid muscles, and ligaments of the TMJ do not have the same role in preventing this rotation.

The orbital apex is the point at the back of the eye socket where several bones come together. In addition to the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone, the palatine bone also contributes to the structure of the orbital apex. The palatine bone is a small, L-shaped bone that forms part of the hard palate and the floor of the nasal cavity. It helps to support the structure of the orbit and plays a role in protecting the eye.