Parietal Bone Anatomy

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

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Introduction to Parietal Bone Anatomy:

The image descriptionparietal bone (os parietal; L., paries – wall) is a large, thin, four-sided cranial bone that makes up much of the top and sides of the skull.

The posterior, superior, and lateral views of the parietal bone
The posterior, superior, and lateral views of the parietal bone - divisions
The posterior, lateral, and superior views of the parietal bone
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  • It articulates with the frontal bone (along the coronal suture), the temporal bone (along the squamous suture), the occipital bone (along the lambdoidal suture), and the other parietal bone (along the sagittal suture).
  • The external surface is broadly convex and has few anatomical markings. The internal surface is concave and also lacks prominent markings.

Markings of the Parietal Bone:

  1. The image descriptionsuperior temporal line (linea temporalis superior parietalis) is the upper of the two lines that arc across the lateral surface of the parietal bone. It serves as an attachment point for the temporal fascia that covers the temporalis muscle. [image descriptionLateral view]

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The lateral view of the parietal bone
the superior temporal line of the parietal bone - lateral view
the superior temporal line of the parietal bone - lateral view
The superior temporal line of the parietal bone
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  1. The image descriptioninferior temporal line (linea temporalis inferior parietalis) is the lower of the two lines that arc across the lateral surface of the parietal bone. It is an attachment point for the temporalis muscle. [image descriptionLateral view

 

The lateral view of the parietal bone
The inferior temporal line of the parietal bone - lateral view
the inferior temporal line of the parietal bone - lateral view
The inferior temporal line of the parietal bone
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  1. The image descriptionparietal foramen (foramen parietale) is a small hole found along the posterior aspect of the bone, next to the sagittal suture. It is the passageway for an emissary vein that drains blood to the exterior of the skull from the superior sagittal sinus. The foramen is not always present and varies in size. [image descriptionSuperior view/image descriptionPosterior view]
the superior view of the parietal bone
the parietal foramen of the parietal bone - superior view
the parietal foramen of the parietal bone - superior view
the posterior view of the parietal bone
The parietal foramen of the parietal bone - posterior view
The parietal foramen of the parietal bone - posterior view
The parietal foramen of the parietal bone
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  1. image descriptionparietal eminence or parietal tuber (eminentia parietalis; tuber parietale) is a rounded elevation on the external surface of the parietal bone. It is located near the middle of the bone and marks the widest point of the skull. This is the area where ossification of the parietal bone began. [image descriptionSuperior view/image descriptionPosterior view]
the superior view of the parietal bone
The parietal eminence of the parietal bone - superior view
The parietal eminence of the parietal bone - superior view
the posterior view of the parietal bone
The parietal eminence of the parietal bone - posterior view
The parietal eminence of the parietal bone - posterior view
The parietal eminence of the parietal bone
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Test yourself:

Lateral view: [image descriptionShow/image descriptionHide answers]

test yourself - parietal bone - lateral view
test yourself - parietal bone - lateral view - asnswers
Test yourself - lateral view
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Test yourself:

Superior view: [image descriptionShow/image descriptionHide answers]

test yourself - parietal bone - superior view
test yourself - parietal bone - superior view - answers
Test yourself - superior view
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Test yourself:

Posterior view: [image descriptionShow/image descriptionHide answers]

test yourself - parietal bone - posterior view
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