GENERAL REMARKS ON THE SKULL. 215 



covers the glenoid cavity, the cartilaginous portion of the 

 zygomatic eminence, the upper surface of the inter articular 

 cartilage, and the capsular ligament. The smaller synovial 

 membrane covers the cartilaginous surface of the condyle, 

 the lower surface of the interarticular cartilage, and is 

 also reflected upon the inner wall of the capsular liga- 

 ment. These synovial capsules are generally complete 

 sacs, having no communication, and their function is to 

 secrete a fluid to lubricate and thus facilitate the move- 

 ments of this joint. 



The stylo-maxillary ligament extends from the styloid 

 process of the temporal bone to the angle of the lower jaw. 

 It consists of a delicate aponeurosis, and has but little to do 

 with the articulation. 



The intermaxillary ligament also has little to do with the 

 joint, and is hardly considered deserving the name of a 

 ligament It is seen extending from the external ptery- 

 goid plate and contiguous portion of the superior maxilla 

 above, as an aponeurotic band, to the root of the coronoid 

 process of the inferior maxilla below, and forming a com- 

 mon point of attachment for the buccinator and superior 

 constrictor muscles of the pharynx. The motions of this 

 joint consist of elevation, depression, the forward, back- 

 ward, and lateral movement performed by the muscles of 

 mastication. 



GENERAL REMARKS ON THE SKULL. 



Anatomists distinguish in the skull five regions, an an- 

 terior, a superior, an inferior and two lateral regions, 

 (Fig. 53.) The anterior region is the face, and presents 

 somewhat fheform of an oval. Its surface is very irregular, 

 having cavities for the accommodation of two of the senses, 

 seeing and smelling. Its outline may be traced by draw- 

 ing a semi-circular line above, through the protuberances of 

 the frontal bone, and extending it laterally round the ex- 

 ternal angular processes of the same bone, and thence con- 

 tinuing it along the outer margin of the malar to the lower 

 jaw, running along its lower border. So that the facial 



