Areas of the Head

Overview

The head contains several important anatomical areas that house neurovascular structures and provide access points for clinical examination and surgical approaches. This section outlines the major fossae and surface regions that form the foundation for understanding cranial relationships.

Key Structures

Topics include the scalp, cranial fossae, pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa and mastoid fossa. Each page describes boundaries, contents and relationships to surrounding bones, vessels and nerves.

Clinical Relevance and Learning Focus

These areas are essential for interpreting trauma, understanding the spread of infection and planning surgical access. A clear understanding supports assessment of cranial nerve pathways, vascular compromise and surface anatomy landmarks.

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Color-coded superior view of the cranial floor, with the middle cranial fossa outlined by black dots and a legend identifying the contributing bones.

The Cranial Fossae

  • The Middle Cranial Fossa
  • The Posterior Cranial Fossa
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The Mastoid Fossa (MacEwen’s Triangle)

Illustration of the five layers of the scalp, showing anatomical structure.

The Scalp

Diagram illustrating the contents of the infratemporal fossa, including nerves and blood vessels.

The Infratemporal Fossa

Diagram of the left infratemporal fossa highlighting the location of the pterygopalatine fossa with the zygomatic arch removed.

The Pterygopalatine Fossa

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