THE FACE, MOUTH AND PHARYNX 171 



forwards and upwards, and half an inch above it the zygomatic 

 process (external angular process) of the frontal bone is en- 

 countered. The pre-auricular point is situated on the zygomatic 

 process of the temporal bone immediately in front of the tragus. 

 Here the superficial temporal vessels can be compressed against 

 the bone as they cross the zygomatic arch. 



Immediately in front of the tragus and below the root of 

 the zygomatic process of the temporal bone the condyle of the 

 mandible can be made out, and when the mouth is opened it 

 slides forwards so that the finger can be inserted into the hollow 

 of the mandibular fossa. If the finger is placed immediately 

 below the zygomatic bone the coronoid process impinges on it 

 when the mouth is opened, and it can be traced downwards into 

 the anterior border of the ramus of the mandible. The coronoid 

 process can also be examined from the inside of the mouth, and 

 the tense band of the ptery go -mandibular raphe (p. 176) is felt 

 on its medial side. The posterior border of the ramus, though 

 masked above by the parotid gland, can be felt through the skin, 

 but its outer surface is completely covered by the masseter. 

 The angle and outer surface of the body of the mandible are palpable 

 through their coverings, and with one finger outside and another 

 inside the mouth it is possible to estimate the thickness of the 

 bone and to recognise any thickening or irregularity. Near the 

 lower border of the symphysis, and on its inner aspect, the mental 

 spine (genial tubercles) may be felt by pressing upwards through 

 the apex of the submental triangle. 



A line drawn from the supra-orbital notch to the lower border 

 of the mandible so as to pass between the two lower premolars 

 will cross the infra-orbital foramen a quarter of an inch below 

 the lower margin of the orbit. It also passes through the mental 

 foramen, which usually (depending on the age of the subject) 

 lies midway between the upper and lower borders of the 

 mandible. 



The Skin of the Face possesses numerous sebaceous and 

 sweat glands, and lies in intimate relationship with the sub- 

 jacent loose connective tissue, in which the muscles of facial 

 expression are embedded. The absence of deep fascia from the 

 face allows muscles arising from bone to be inserted directly 

 into the skin, which is therefore freely movable. Further, the 

 laxity of the cellular connective tissue, which is unsupported by 

 deep fascia, facilitates the rapid spread of oedema over large 

 areas. Over the nose, however, the skin is firmly bound down 



