What is the clinical significance of the pterion, a region on the lateral aspect of the skull?
Explanation
This question tests the clinical relevance of a specific anatomical landmark, the pterion, highlighting its vulnerability to fracture which can damage the underlying middle meningeal artery.
Other questions
Which superficial muscle of the neck is innervated by the cervical branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) and acts to tense the skin of the neck?
The great auricular nerve, which provides cutaneous sensation to the skin over the angle of the mandible and the auricle, is composed of fibers from which cervical spinal nerve roots?
A 'blowout' fracture, where the margin remains intact but the medial and/or inferior walls are fractured, affects which skeletal structure of the head?
Which muscle of mastication originates from the floor of the temporal fossa and inserts on the coronoid process and ramus of the mandible?
The carotid sinus nerve, which is involved in blood pressure regulation, is a branch from which cranial nerve?
The infrahyoid muscles, such as the sternohyoid and omohyoid, are primarily innervated by which nerve structure?
In a coronal section of the paranasal sinuses, which sinus is located directly superior to the oral cavity and medial to the orbit?
Which structure forms the roof of the oral cavity and is composed of the palatine process of the maxillary bone and the horizontal plate of the palatine bone?
The submandibular duct (of Wharton) opens into the oral cavity at which specific location?
Which intrinsic muscle of the larynx is responsible for abducting the vocal ligaments, thereby opening the rima glottidis?
The recurrent laryngeal nerve can be compressed by an aortic arch aneurysm, leading to hoarseness. This nerve provides motor innervation to all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except which one?
The lacrimal gland, responsible for tear production, is located in which part of the orbit?
Which extrinsic eye muscle is innervated by the trochlear nerve (CN IV) and is responsible for depressing and abducting the eye?
The auditory tube (eustachian) connects the tympanic cavity (middle ear) to which structure?
Trauma to the skull can tear the middle meningeal artery, which runs deep to the pterion, leading to what type of intracranial hemorrhage?
The cavernous sinus contains several important structures. Which of the following cranial nerves passes through the cavernous sinus but is NOT located within its lateral wall?
The cerebral arterial circle (of Willis) is a critical anastomosis at the base of the brain. Which of the following arteries is NOT a direct contributor to this circle?
Which cranial nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression, the stapedius, and the posterior belly of the digastric muscle?
The optic nerve (CN II) and ophthalmic artery enter the orbit through which opening in the skull?
An infection in the 'danger triangle' of the face can spread to the cavernous sinus primarily through which venous connection?
Which bony framework structure is formed by the hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe, and mylohyoid line of the mandible?
Bell's palsy is an idiopathic, unilateral facial nerve palsy. This condition would most directly affect which group of muscles?
The vertebral artery ascends through the transverse foramina of which cervical vertebrae before entering the skull?
Which two arteries provide the primary arterial supply to the thyroid gland?
The chorda tympani, which carries taste fibers from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, is a branch of which cranial nerve?
The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) exits the skull through which foramen?
Which muscle group is primarily responsible for elevating the hyoid bone, floor of the mouth, and tongue during swallowing and speaking?
The dens (odontoid process) is a prominent feature of which cervical vertebra, allowing for pivotal rotation of the head?
Which dural venous sinus is located in the superior border of the falx cerebri and is a common site for the drainage of superior cerebral veins?
Which fascial layer of the neck encloses the vertebral column and its associated deep muscles, such as the longus colli and scalenes?
In a T1-weighted sagittal MRI of the head, which structure is located immediately posterior to the optic chiasm and anterior to the mammillary body?
Which muscle is palpated to identify the 'nerve point of the neck' for administering a cervical plexus block?
What is the primary action of the genioglossus muscle?
The main trunk of the facial nerve (CN VII) emerges from the skull through which foramen?
Which structure passes through the foramen magnum?
The parotid duct (of Stensen) pierces which muscle to enter the oral cavity?
In a T2-weighted axial MRI of the brain, which structure is located immediately posterior to the pons?
What is the innervation of the dilator pupillae muscle, which is responsible for dilating the pupil?
An anastomosis site of vessels in the nasal vestibule, known as Kiesselbach's plexus, is a common site of nosebleeds (epistaxis). Which of the following arteries contributes to this plexus?
Which structure separates the superior and inferior portions of the prevertebral fascia in the neck, forming a potential space for infection to spread from the neck to the mediastinum?
The bony framework of the nasal septum is primarily formed by which two bones?
According to the usual age of eruption for deciduous (primary) teeth, which teeth are typically the last to erupt, around 20 to 24 months?
The lymphatic drainage of the tip of the tongue primarily goes to which group of lymph nodes?
The otic ganglion, which provides parasympathetic innervation to the parotid gland, is functionally associated with which cranial nerve but topographically located near which other nerve?
A lesion of the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) would result in deviation of the protruded tongue to which side?
The tensor veli palatini muscle, which tenses the soft palate, is innervated by a branch of which nerve?
Which of the following is NOT a direct branch of the external carotid artery in the neck?
The palatine tonsils are located in the oropharynx between which two arches?
The thoracic duct, the main lymphatic vessel of the body, typically drains into the venous system at the junction of which two veins on the left side of the neck?