BONES OF THE FACE: FUNCTIONS AND DESCRIPTION - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 2025

The bones of the face are a set of complex interlocking structures that together form an anatomical complex known as the fronto-facial massif. These are bones of all possible shapes and sizes that, despite being closely linked, have particular characteristics.

These very specific characteristics allow them to carry out very specialized functions, so that although they are all confined in a very small space and are part of a whole, each one has a special function. In total, the face has 6 even bones (12 in total) and 2 odd bones.

This gives a total of 14 bone structures, which in turn are directly related to two bones of the skull: the frontal and the ethmoid. This is where the name of the fronto-easy massif comes from, the name given to this set of structures.

Features

Most of the bones of the face have a structural function; that is, they give the face its shape, including the ducts that run through it (nostrils) and that communicate the different cavities with each other (such as the tear duct, which joins the eye sockets with the nose).

In addition, these bones support many muscles, as well as the blood vessels and nerves in the region.

They hold the eyes

Each bone by itself is not capable of accommodating organs inside it, since they are flat bones; However, their union by means of non-mobile joints (sutures) allows the formation of three-dimensional cavities where highly specialized organs are housed, as happens in the case of the orbits, where the eyes are housed.

They form the respiratory tract

The same happens with the nostrils. The first part of the respiratory ducts is formed by the three-dimensional framework of several bones, which form a kind of tunnel that connects the exterior with the interior, allowing air to pass.

Give structure

The bones of the face also provide protection to these structures, particularly the eye, which is in a kind of safe, surrounded by bones whose function is to break to absorb the energy of trauma, thus preventing it from being transferred to the delicate ones. structures of the eyeball.

They are seat of the teeth

On the other hand, the bones that are part of the oral cavity also have an important functional role: there the teeth settle. Through the movement of the only dynamic joint of the face (temporo-mandibular), chewing is allowed.

Description of the bones of the face

To understand a little more the complexity of the bones that make up the fronto-facial massif, it is useful to review their location, main function, and spatial relationships; Only then is it possible to realize how complex this intricate system of bones and small bones is.

Bones of the face. Polygon data is from BodyParts3D / CC BY-SA 2.1 JP (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)

Pairs

There are two of each: right and left.

- Upper jaw.

- Malar or zygomatic.

- Palatino.

- Nasal bone.

- Lacrimal bone.

- Lower turbinate.

Odd

There is only one, centrally located, on the axis of the face.

- Vomer.

- Lower jaw.

The characteristics of each of the mentioned bones will be explained below:

Maxilla

It is perhaps the most complex bone in the face, due to its shape and is related to practically all the other bones in the region.

Its central location and its superior, inferior and lateral projections make it the cornerstone of the entire frontal-facial massif, which makes it have very important structural and functional functions.

The upper teeth are located in this bone; Furthermore, its lateral and superior projections make it part of the nostril, the floor of the orbit, and the palate.

This bone can be compared to a crossroads or a railway knot, since it is in the center and connected to all the structures of the face.

Malar or zygomatic

Zygomatic bone. Images are generated by Life Science Databases (LSDB). / CC BY-SA 2.1 JP (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)

It is another of the large bones of the face, being closely related to the upper jaw (the malar outside and the upper jaw inside).

Due to its large size and three-dimensional structure, the zygomatic is part of several important structures of the face: the orbit (forming the infero-lateral face) and the cheek, to which it provides bony support.

Due to its position and characteristics (long and thin processes), it is one of the bones most susceptible to fracture in facial trauma.

Palatine

Palatine bone. Images are generated by Life Science Databases (LSDB). / CC BY-SA 2.1 JP (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)

It is a small bone that is located behind and inside the upper jaws, forming the hard palate or roof of the mouth and, in turn, a part of the floor of the nostrils.

Nasal bones or own bones of the nose

Nasal bones. Anatomography / CC BY-SA 2.1 JP (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)

They are two small, thin, flat bones that form the anterior part of the bony portion of the nasal pyramid. When joining with the upper jaws and frontal bone, they form the upper part of the nostril.

In addition, underneath they rest on the vomer, so they are also part of the internal structure of the nose.

Lacrimal bone or unguis

Lacrimal bone. Anatomography / CC BY-SA 2.1 JP (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)

It is a small, thin but highly specialized bone. It is part of the inner (medial) face of the orbit. In a specialized canal it houses the naso-lacrimal duct, responsible for joining the orbital cavity with the nostril and which serves as a drainage point for tears.

Due to its position, the outer face of the tear duct faces the orbit and the inner face faces the nostril, making it an ideal approach site when reconstructing surgeries of the naso-lacrimal drainage channels must be performed.

Lower turbinate or lower turbinal

Lower turbinate. Polygon data were generated by Database Center for Life Science (DBCLS) / CC BY-SA 2.1 JP (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)

It is a spiral-shaped bone structure that is practically within the nostril. Its function is to increase the area available for the nasal mucosa, so that the air that passes through it heats up before entering the lower respiratory tract.

In addition, it works as a filter, retaining large particles that can enter the nostril. It is also a physical barrier to foreign bodies that may accidentally or intentionally enter the nostrils.

Vomer

Vomer Images are generated by Japan Life Science Databases (LSDB). / CC BY-SA 2.1 JP (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)

It is the only odd bone in the nose. For the most part it is flat, forming the middle part of the nasal septum.

In its structure, it only presents small projections that allow it to articulate with the upper jaw and the palatines below, with the ethmoid and part of the sphenoid above and in front with the nasal cartilages, its posterior border being free and being related to the nasopharynx.

Lower jaw

Mandible. Images are generated by Life Science Databases (LSDB). / CC BY-SA 2.1 JP (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)

Although it is considered a paired bone, it is the result of the fusion of two separate bones in the fetal stage, although for practical purposes it functions as a single structure.

It is the only mobile bone in the face and forms the jaw, in which the structures that form the floor of the mouth and tongue take a seat; In addition, it is the place where the lower teeth are housed.

It is a bone with two joints that work in unison, known as TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) and, as its name implies, this joint joins the jaw to the temporal bone.

References

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