Overview

This 3D model complements the H 11 and H 12 head and neck specimens by providing a perspective of the endocranial cavity without the brain and a lateral dissection inclusive of neck anatomy.

Midsagittal Section

• Brain Removal: The removal of the brain and reflection of the medulla oblongata inferiorly reveals the dura mater lining the endocranial cavity, including the tentorium cerebelli spanning from the transverse sinus to the attachment to the clinoid process of the sphenoid.
• Cranial Nerves: The optic (CN II), oculomotor (CN III), trigeminal (CN V), abducens (CN VI), and the combined facial (CN VII) and vestibulocochlear (CN VIII) nerves can be seen piercing the dura.
• Pituitary Gland: Visible in cross-section within the sella turcica.
• Left Vertebral Artery: Seen ascending in the posterior cranial fossa.

Lateral Dissection

• Superficial Structures: Some superficial structures are retained while exposing the anatomy within the infratemporal fossa.
• Facial Vein and Artery: Preserved but dissected away from superficial fascia or muscles of facial expression, lying across the corpus of the mandible and buccinator muscle.
• Mandible and Zygomatic Arch: Most of the ascending ramus of the mandible and the zygomatic arch have been removed to show infratemporal fossa anatomy.
  • Inferior Alveolar Artery and Nerve
  • Lingual Nerve: Resting on the medial pterygoid.
  • Posterior Deep Temporal Artery: Resting on the lateral pterygoid.
  • Mandibular Condyle: Articulation with the glenoid fossa.
  • External Carotid Artery: Terminal part visible.
  • Maxillary Artery: First part visible.
  • Superficial Temporal Artery

Posterior Infratemporal Region

• Facial Nerve (CN VII): Briefly visible adjacent to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle.
• Digastric Muscle: Angles superficially, obscuring the internal and external carotid arteries and the internal jugular vein.
• Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII): Rests adjacent to the central tendon of the digastric and the external carotid artery.
• Facial Artery: Integrated into the submandibular gland before ascending across the mandibular corpus.
• Lingual Artery and Anterior Belly of the Digastric: Also visible.
• Superficial Veins: Descend inferiorly into the neck, presumptive external jugular vein displaced due to the removal of the retromandibular vein and sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Neck Region

• Hyoid Bone: Immediately deep to the submandibular gland, receiving infrahyoid muscles just superficial to a robust thyroid gland.
• Larynx: Visible at the cut section of the dissection inferiorly.
• Carotid Sheath Structures: Radiating cutaneous branches from the cervical plexus rest on the scalene muscles.
• Upper Roots of Brachial Plexus: Preserved adjacent to the exposed internal jugular vein near the inferior margin of the specimen.