Those are the Eustachian tube, tegmen tympani, and the labyrinth. In addition to the above, there are other structures that surround the ear and help its function.

Inner ear- transforms the sound into nervous impulses via the cochlea and maintains balance via the semicircular canals.

Middle ear- transmits the sound to the inner ear via the eardrum and three ossicles (incus, malleus, stapes).

They reach the eye via three holes located at the back wall of the orbit.įound on either side of the head are your ears. In fact, the only things visible are the auricle and the opening of the ear canal (external auditory canal) because the intricate anatomy is actually hidden inside your skull. The main artery supplying the eye is the ophthalmic artery, while the main nerves are the optic (CN II), oculomotor (CN III), trochlear (CN IV), trigeminal (CN V), and abducens (CN VI) cranial nerves. Those are the eyelids, conjunctiva, lacrimal apparatus, and the seven extraocular muscles. There are also several eye adnexa that essentially protect the eyeball, as well as help it to move and perform its functions. The pupil allows light to enter the eye and fall on the retina, ultimately allowing you to see. The entrance is provided by the pupil, which is a black central hole that is controlled by the iris. Broadly speaking, it consists of three layers enveloping two jelly filled compartments into which a lens is suspended. The eyeball itself has an extremely intricate and complex anatomy in order to provide you with vision. The nose is flanked by two anatomical structures called the eyes. Each one consists of an eyeballsuspended inside a bony socket within the skull, named the orbit. Main arteries: Common carotid, external carotid, internal carotid and facial arteriesĬustom quiz: Neurovasculature of the nasal cavity

Main nerves: maxillary nerve (CN V2), mandibular nerve(CN V3), vagus nerve (CN X), hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), and facial nerve(CN VII)Ĭontains hyoid bone, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, pharynx and larynx externally divided into triangles, internally divided into compartments

Main arteries: descending palatine, facial, lingual, and maxillary arteries

Main nerves: facial nerve (CN VII) and vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)Ĭonsists of teeth, tongue, hard and soft palates, uvula and tonsils, oropharynx Main arteries: external carotid, maxillary, and basilar arteries Main nerves: optic nerve (CN II), oculomotor nerve (CN III), trochlear nerve (CN IV), trigeminal nerve (CN V), and abducens nerve (CN VI)Ĭomprised of outer, middle and inner ears Nerves: olfactory nerve (CN I), ophthalmic nerve (CN V1), maxillary nerve (CN V2)Ĭonsists of ocular bulbs (eyeballs) with associated extraocular muscles located in orbits Key facts about head and neck anatomy SkullĬomprised of 22 bones: (Frontal bone, parietal bones (2), occipital bone, temporal bones (2), sphenoid bone, ethmoid bone, maxillae (2), inferior nasal conchae (2), lacrimal bones (2), nasal bones (2), palatine bones (2), vomer, zygomatic bones (2), mandibleĬomposed of nasal cartilages and nasal bones, anterior to nasal cavityĪrteries: facial, sphenopalatine, greater palatine, and ophthalmic arteries In addition, we’ll also cover the most important blood vessels and nerves supplying each region. In this topic page, we’ll learn about various anatomical aspects of the head and neck, such as the skull, eyes, teeth, nose, ears, and neck. On the other end, the head is durable enough to protect the fragile brain but intricately designed to facilitate the passage of the complex neurovascular network. The neck is resilient enough to sustain a five kilogram weight 24/7, yet sufficiently mobile to move it in several directions. The head and neck are two examples of the perfect anatomical marriage between form and function, mixed with a dash of complexity.

Skeleton neck diagrams