Frontal Bone

Description

Presented in left lateral profile, the skull and upper cervical spine are rendered with the frontal bone isolated in blue against the remaining cranial vault and viscerocranium. Superior to the orbits, the frontal squama forms the forehead and curves posteriorly toward the coronal suture with the parietal bone, while inferiorly it contributes to the superior orbital margin and the roof of the orbit via the orbital plate. Anterior to the frontal bone, the nasal bones and piriform aperture frame the nasal cavity entrance, and posterior-inferiorly the mandibular body and dentition sit in clear relationship to the maxilla and zygomatic region. Cervical vertebrae are included below the occiput, aligned inferiorly with the foramen magnum and upper neck. For teaching, a lateral highlight of the frontal bone clarifies boundaries that are often lost when learners focus only on facial landmarks, particularly the transition from frontal squama to orbital roof and the position of the frontal sinus region deep to the glabella. Frontal bone trauma is common in high-energy facial injuries, and understanding the superior orbital rim and anterior table of the frontal sinus helps frame discussions of sinus outflow obstruction, mucoceles, and surgical repair. Small landmarks matter here. The supraorbital notch or foramen, when present on the superior orbital margin, marks the exit of the supraorbital nerve and vessels, a point of interest for regional anesthesia and for avoiding iatrogenic injury during brow and frontal approaches. Use this asset in head and neck anatomy courses, oral and maxillofacial surgery teaching files, and neurosurgical or ENT publications describing frontal sinus fractures, frontal craniotomy corridors, or supraorbital nerve blocks, where a clean lateral orientation reads quickly in print or slide decks. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.