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    Related Topics

    From Musculoskeletal System

    Buccinator
    Muscle that helps with chewing and blowing air out.
    Clavicle
    Collarbone connecting the arm to the body.
    Obliques (External and Internal)
    Muscles responsible for torso rotation.
    Inferior Nasal Conchae
    Bones inside the nasal cavity that filter and humidify air.
    Extensor Tendons
    Tendons that help extend the fingers and toes.
    Femur
    Thigh bone, the longest and strongest bone in the body.
    Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
    Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
    Hyoid Bone
    U-shaped bone in the neck that supports the tongue.
    Gluteus Maximus
    Largest muscle in the buttocks responsible for hip extension.
    Biceps Brachii
    Muscle responsible for elbow flexion.
    Thoracic Vertebrae (T1 - T12)
    Vertebrae in the upper and mid-back (T1-T12).
    Thoracic Cage
    Ribs and sternum forming the protective cage for the heart and lungs.
    Flexor Tendons
    Tendons that help flex the fingers and toes.
    Carpals (8 bones)
    8 wrist bones.
    Ellipsoidal (Condyloid) Joints
    e.g., wrist
    Sacroiliac Ligaments
    Ligaments connecting the sacrum to the iliac bones.
    Sacrum
    Triangular bone at the base of the spine.
    Gomphoses
    Fibrous joints where a peg fits into a socket (e.g., teeth in jaw).
    Coccygeus
    Pelvic floor muscle supporting the coccyx.
    Cranial Bones
    Bones of the skull that protect the brain.
    Triceps Brachii
    Muscle responsible for elbow extension.
    Sartorius
    Longest muscle in the body responsible for hip flexion.
    Skull
    Bony structure of the head that encases the brain.
    Metatarsals (5 bones)
    5 bones forming the mid-foot.

    Parietal Bones

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Bones forming the sides and roof of the skull.

    1. Overview

    The parietal bones are a pair of large, curved, quadrilateral bones forming a significant portion of the superior and lateral walls of the cranium. These bones are essential components of the neurocranium, enclosing and protecting the brain, particularly the parietal lobes. The right and left parietal bones meet at the top of the skull and contribute to its overall strength and structure.

    2. Location

    The parietal bones are located on the upper lateral sides of the skull:

    • Superiorly: Meet each other at the sagittal suture.

    • Anteriorly: Articulate with the frontal bone at the coronal suture.

    • Posteriorly: Articulate with the occipital bone at the lambdoid suture.

    • Inferiorly: Articulate with the temporal and sphenoid bones at the squamosal and sphenoparietal sutures, respectively.

    3. Structure

    Each parietal bone is thin, flat, and curved, contributing to the cranial vault:

    • External surface: Convex and smooth, provides attachment for the temporalis muscle; marked by parietal eminence (a rounded prominence).

    • Internal surface: Concave and grooved for meningeal vessels, especially the middle meningeal artery.

    • Four borders: Frontal (anterior), occipital (posterior), temporal (inferior), and sagittal (medial).

    • Four angles: Frontal, sphenoidal, occipital, and mastoid angles, which connect with corresponding bones.

    The bone consists of two layers of compact bone (inner and outer tables) with cancellous bone (diploë) in between, providing strength and lightness.

    4. Function

    The parietal bones serve several crucial roles in cranial protection and form:

    • Protect the brain: Enclose the parietal lobes of the brain, shielding them from external trauma.

    • Structural support: Contribute to the cranial vault, maintaining the shape and strength of the skull.

    • Muscle attachment: Provide surfaces for temporalis and other muscles of mastication and facial expression.

    • Formation of sutures: Interlock with surrounding bones to form immovable joints that stabilize the skull.

    5. Physiological role(s)

    Although passive in terms of direct physiological processes, the parietal bones support vital functions by:

    • Enabling cerebral protection: Encase brain tissue, especially the parietal lobes responsible for sensory perception and spatial orientation.

    • Assisting thermoregulation: The scalp and underlying skull dissipate heat produced by brain metabolism.

    • Providing pathways: Grooves on the inner surface house vessels like the middle meningeal artery, essential for cranial perfusion.

    6. Clinical Significance

    Parietal bones are involved in several clinical and surgical conditions:

    • Skull fractures:

      • Parietal bones are commonly fractured in head trauma due to their exposure; may result in epidural hematomas if the middle meningeal artery is torn.

    • Craniotomy procedures:

      • Parietal regions are often accessed surgically to reach underlying brain tissue during tumor resections or hemorrhage evacuation.

    • Hydrocephalus and cranial expansion:

      • In pediatric patients, parietal bones may expand or bulge in conditions like hydrocephalus or craniosynostosis.

    • Parietal foramina anomalies:

      • Small openings near the sagittal suture may transmit emissary veins; enlarged foramina can be associated with syndromes like cleidocranial dysostosis.

    • Decompression surgery:

      • Increased intracranial pressure may require removal of a parietal bone flap (decompressive craniectomy).

    Did you know? The smallest joint in the body is the stapes in the ear.