Welcome to the first lab for the skeletal system. In this lab you will be learning about the skull.
It is best to work through this lab with your textbook open to the pictures of the skull. This allows you to compare the textbook pictures with the cadaver images.
We will begin by setting up the dissector to view the skull. Click on the link below:
Next you need to set up the dissector in the double click mode for dissection. Do this by selecting the view pull down menu at the top of the page. Then select dissection style and double click dissection. This prevents you from removing structures with just one click.
You are looking at an anterior projection of the skull. Roll your mouse over the following bones:
Frontal Maxilla Mandible Zygomatic Temporal
Parietal Nasal Sphenoid Occipital Hyoid
Notice there are 2 parts to the mandible. You are only responsible for knowing the mandible as one whole bone.
Next you will need to rotate the skull 90 degrees to the right using the thumbwheel.
Roll your mouse over the same bones. Notice how they are oriented in 3D.
Look for the following landmarks:
On the temporal bone look for the mastoid and styloid processes as well as the external auditory canal (ear canal). Also notice how the temporal bone connects with the zygomatic bone to form the zygomatic arch. The temporal bone forms a joint with the mandible called the temporomandibular joint. It is formed by the condylar process of the mandible and a depression in the temporal bone.
Double click on the condylar process of the mandible to remove it.
Double click on the ramus of the mandible to remove it.
Now you can see the depression in the temporal bone that forms the temporal part of the TMJ.
Click on the following to reset the dissection: Anterior Skull
Dissect away (by double clicking) the frontal, maxilla, nasal, left and right zygomatic bones.
Highlight the ethmoid bone. Use your text to locate the crista galli and cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. The crista galli is important as a part of the covering of the brain attaches to it. The cribriform plate contains holes in which the olfactory nerve fibers pass through.
Dissect away the ethmoid bone.
Highlight the sphenoid bone. Notice how it helps to form the bottom of the skull. Use your text to help you locate the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone. This is where the pituitary gland sits.
Click on the following to reset the dissection: Posterior Skull
Highlight the following:
Occipital bone Right/Left Temporal bones Right/Left Parietal Bones
Use your text to locate the foramen magnum of the occipital bone.
Sutures
Use your text to locate the following sutures.
Sagittal Coronal Squamosal Lambdoidal
See if you can find these on the skull by rotating it using the thumbwheel.
Lastly spend some time looking at all of the above structures in 3D. Do this by rotating the skull around and dissecting away the superficial bones to see how some bones are positioned deep in the skull.