An Overview of Dental Anatomy
Bone Structure of the Face

Figure 1 identifies the various bone structures of the head and face. Correctly visualizing the bone structures of the face and head aids in palpation techniques when conducting a head and neck examination on the patient.

• Ethmoid – Midline cranial bone.
• Frontal – Bone that forms the forehead.
• Lacrimal – Paired bones that form the wall of the orbit.
• Mandible – Bone that forms the lower jaw.
• Maxilla – Bone that forms the upper jaw.
• Nasal – Paired bones that form the bridge of the nose.
• Occipital – Bone that forms the posterior portion of the head.
• Parietal – Paired bones at the top of the skull. They articulate with each other and other bones in the skull.
• Sphenoid – Midline bone that has several processes associated with it.
• Temporal – Paired bones that form the lateral walls of the skull and articulate with the mandible at the temporomandibular joint.
• Zygomatic – Paired facial bones that form the cheeks.