Central radiographic positioning

Introduction
Radiography of the skull requires a good understanding of the related anatomy The anatomy of the skull is very complex and requires careful and detailed study

Radiographic Anatomy (skull)

The skull is divided into two main sets of bones: 1. The cranium (8 cranial bones) 2. Facial bones (14)

Cranial bones
Cranial bones are divided into two main parts: Clavarium,4 bones, (skull cap) Floor of the skul, 4 bones.

Clavarium
1. 2. 3. 4. Frontal Right parietal Left parietal Occipital

Floor
Right temporal Left temporal Sphenoid Ethmoid

Frontal bone
Forms the forehead (the squamous or vertical portion) and the superior part of each orbit (orbital or horizontal portion)

Landmarks of frontal bone (frontal and lateral views)

Glabella: is the smooth raised prominence between the eyebrows just above the bridge of the nose Supraorbital groove (SOG): is the slight depression above each eyebrow Supraorbital margin (SOM): the superior rim of each orbit

Skull landmarks (frontal and lateral views)

Supraorbital notch (foramen): is a small hole or opening within the supraorbital margin slightly medial to its midpoint Sperciliary ridge (arch): the ridge of bone beneath each eyebrow (the glabella is located between the superciliary arches) Frontal tuberosity (eminence): is a large rounded prominence above the supraorbital grooves

Skull landmarks (inferior view)

Orbital plate: forms the superior part of each orbit The nasal spine: found at the anterior end of the ethmoidal notch Each orbital plate is separated from the other by the ethmoidal notch

Articulations of frontal bone

The frontal bone articulates with four cranial bones: right and left parietals, the sphenoid, and the ethmoid The frontal bone articulates with eight facial bones

Parietal bones
Is roughly square in shape It has a concave internal surface Forms the lateral walls of the cranium and part of the roof The widest portion of the entire skull is located between the parietal tubercles The frontal bone is primarily anterior to the parietals, the occipital is posterior, the temporals are inferior, and the greater wings of the sphenoid are inferior and anterior.

Articulation
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Each parietal bone articulates with five cranial bones: The frontal The occipital A temporal The sphenoid The opposite parietal

Occipital bone
Forms the inferoposterior portion of the clavarium Squamous portion: a rounded part which forms the external surface of the occipital bone (superior to the external occipital protuberance) external occipital protuberance or inion: the prominent bump or protuberance at the inferoposterior portion of the skull

Occipital bone
Foramen magnum: the large opening at the base of the occipital bone through which the spinal cord passes Occipital condyles: oval processes with convex surfaces on each side of the foramen magnum Occipito-atlantal joint: two-part articulation between the skull and the cervical spine

Articulations
1. 2. 3. 4. The occipital articulates with six bones: The two parietals The two temporals The sphenoid And the atlas

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