Anatomy Exam Bones of the Cranial Vault 3

Question 1

A fracture of the pterion is clinically dangerous because it overlies which artery?

Accepted Answer

Middle meningeal artery

Answer

The pterion is the thinnest part of the skull and overlies the anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery, rupture of which causes epidural hematoma.

Question 2

The foramen magnum is located in which bone of the cranial vault?

Accepted Answer

Occipital bone

Answer

The foramen magnum is a large opening in the occipital bone through which the brainstem transitions into the spinal cord.

Question 3

Which cranial bone contains the sella turcica?

Accepted Answer

Sphenoid bone

Answer

The sella turcica ('Turkish saddle') is a saddle-shaped depression in the body of the sphenoid bone that houses the pituitary gland.

Question 4

Which of the following bones does NOT contribute to the cranial vault (calvaria)?

Accepted Answer

Nasal bone

Answer

The nasal bone is a facial bone and does not form part of the cranial vault, which is composed of the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and parts of the sphenoid bones.

Question 5

The squamous part of which bone forms a large portion of the lateral cranial vault?

Accepted Answer

Temporal bone

Answer

The squamous part of the temporal bone is the flat, fan-shaped portion that forms a significant part of the lateral wall of the cranium.

Anatomy Exam Practice Test

Anatomy Exam Practice Test

Anatomy Exam Bones of the Cranial Vault 3