Viscerocranium
Viscerocranium
The Viscerocranium (pronounced: vis-er-o-kra-ni-um), also known as the splanchnocranium or the facial skeleton, is the portion of the skull that consists of the facial bones. The term "viscerocranium" is derived from the Latin words "viscera", meaning internal organs, and "cranium", meaning skull.
Etymology
The term "Viscerocranium" is derived from two Latin words: "viscera" which refers to the internal organs, and "cranium" which refers to the skull. The term is used to describe the part of the skull that developed to hold the organs of smell, sight, and taste, which are all located in the face.
Structure
The Viscerocranium is made up of several bones, including the mandible, the maxilla, the zygomatic bone, the nasal bone, the lacrimal bone, the palatine bone, the inferior nasal concha, and the vomer. These bones form the lower part of the skull and are involved in functions such as mastication, communication, and facial expression.
Development
The Viscerocranium originates from the pharyngeal arches, which are structures seen in the embryonic development of vertebrates. These arches give rise to various structures of the face and neck.
Related Terms
- Neurocranium: The upper part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain.
- Mandible: The lower jawbone, which is a part of the viscerocranium.
- Maxilla: The upper jawbone, also a part of the viscerocranium.
- Zygomatic bone: The bone that forms the prominent part of the cheek and the outer side of the eye socket.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Viscerocranium
- Wikipedia's article - Viscerocranium
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