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Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences: Human Structure Module
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  8. Joint Tables
  9. Joints and Ligaments of the Head and Neck

Joints and Ligaments of the Head and Neck

Joint or ligamentDescriptionNotes
coronal suturethe articulation between the frontal bone and the two parietal bonesa suture
intermaxillary suturethe articulation between the palatine processes of the right and left maxillaea suture; it is a midline feature of the hard palate and marks the line
of fusion of the two palatine shelves (secondary palate) during development
lambdoidal suturethe articulation between the occipital bone and the parietal bonea suture
metopic suturethe articulation between the two ossification centers of the frontal bonea suture; a midline structure, it usually disappears during development
but is occasionally present in adults
pterionthe articulation between four bones: the greater wing of the sphenoid bone,
the frontal bone, the parietal bone, the squamous part of the temporal bone
a suture; this is a site of relatively thin bone that is frequently fractured in blows to the side of the head; the middle meningeal a. is located deep to this site and may be injured in skull fractures at this location, leading to epidural hematoma
sagittal suturethe articulation between the two parietal bonesa suture; it is a midline structure that lies superficial to the superior sagittal venous sinus
sphenomandibular ligamentthe ligament that attaches to the spine of the sphenoid bone superiorly
and the lingula of the mandible inferiorly
paired; it is a specialization of the pterygoid fascia and is a remnant of the mesenchymal core of the first pharyngeal arch (Meckel's cartilage)
squamosal suturethe articulation between the parietal bone and the squamous portion of the
temporal bone
a suture; the greater wing of the sphenoid bone participates in the formation
of the anterior end of the squamosal suture
stylohyoid ligamentthe ligament that connects the styloid process with the lesser horn of the
hyoid bone
a syndesmosis; paired; a remnant of the mesenchymal core of the second pharyngeal arch (Reichert's cartilage)
stylomandibular ligament the ligament that connects the styloid process with the angle of the mandiblepaired; a thickening of the parotid fascia
temporomandibular jointthe articulation between the head of the condylar process of the mandible
and the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone
a synovial hinge joint; it is separated into two joint spaces by an intracapsular fibrous articular disc; gliding action occurs superior to the articular disc and hinge action occurs inferior to the disc
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