Bones of the face

The bones of the face comprise all the bones of the facial skeleton of the skull, located anterior and inferior to the neurocranium.

They contribute to the formation of the oral, nasal, and orbital cavities, as well as the structure of the dental arches and the upper respiratory tract. The facial bones perform essential functions such as mastication, respiration, swallowing, phonation, and the protection of the sensory organs (smell and vision).

They include:

• the nasal bone

• the lacrimal bone

• the maxilla

• the nasal conchae

• the incisive bone

• the palatine bone

• the zygomatic bone

• the mandible

• the vomer (the only unpaired bone)