Head

The head is the part located above the neck. It is composed of bony, muscular, and nervous structures that ensure vital functions: protection of the brain and sensory organs, food intake, breathing, and communication.

From a skeletal perspective, the head is formed by:

• The skull, who protects the encephalon (brain, cerebellum, and brainstem) as well as the major sensory organs (sight, hearing, balance, and smell);

• The face, who includes the bones that form the nasal cavities, the oral cavity, and the masticatory structures (maxilla and mandible).

From a muscular perspective, the head is animated by the muscles of mastication and the facial muscles, which contribute to facial expressions, food grasping, and phonation.

The head also contains major nervous and sensory structures, such as the cranial nerves that innervate the sensory organs and the facial muscles, as well as the salivary glands that play a role in digestion.