Explain the function of the paranasal sinuses. Describe the key structural differences in the skulls of infants, children and adults. References Skeletal System Overview of Bone Formation in the Skull Bone Formation Bone develops in the foetus via two mechanisms Intramembraneous ossification , whereby sheets of mesenchymal cells act as bone-forming membranes. The viscerocranium is made up of 14 bones of which only the mandible and vomer are unpaired. The maxillae, zygomatics, nasals, lacrimals, palatines, and inferior nasal conchae are paired bones.
Main function is to surround and protect the openings of the face, mouth, nose and eyes.
During development a metopic suture is present that divides the two halves of the immature frontal bone. Superior surface has the sella turcica, the seat of which is the hypophyseal fossa housing the pituitary Anterosuperior surfaces of body are united with the lesser wing Lateral surfaces of body are united with the greater wings and the pterygoid plates. Down slant Wide Sharp Straight Mod Wide General Impressions Massive, rugged, elongate, ovoid Large, mod rugged, rounded Small, smooth, elongated, ovoid Massive, smooth, elongate, oval Large, smooth, rounded From Krogman, W.M., and Iscan M. H. 1986. The Human Skeleton in Forensic Medicine, Charles. Marieb E. N. 1998.