THE FOETAL SKULL The foetal skull contains a delicate brain, which may be subjected to great pressures as the head passes through the birth canal The landmarks of the skull are described as: • The vault, which lies between the orbital ridges and the n

THE FOETAL SKULL The foetal skull contains a delicate brain, which may be subjected to great pressures as the head passes through the birth canal The landmarks of the skull are described as: • The vault, which lies between the orbital ridges and the nape of the neck- bones are thin and pliable so as to allow for alterations of the skull at birth, composed of the occipital bone, two parietal bones and two frontal bones. LANDMARKS CONT….PARTS  The base -comprised of firmly united bones that protect the vital centres in the medulla.  The face -composed of 14 small bones that are firmly united and cannot be compressed.  The mentum, also called the chin. THE REGIONS OF THE SKULL ARE  The occiput, which lies between the foramen magnum and the posterior fontanelle.  The sub-occipital region is the part below the occipital protuberance. • The vertex, which is bounded by the posterior fontanelle, the two parietal eminences and the anterior fontanelle. • The sinciput or brow, which occurs from the anterior fontanelle and the coronal suture to the orbital ridge