Which Facial Bone is Unpaired?
The human skull contains two unpaired facial bones: the vomer and the mandible.
The facial skeleton, also known as the viscerocranium, comprises fourteen bones. Six of these bones are paired (meaning there's a matching bone on each side of the face), while two are unpaired, existing as single bones in the midline of the face.
Paired Facial Bones:
- Maxilla
- Palatine
- Zygomatic
- Nasal
- Lacrimal
- Inferior nasal conchae
Unpaired Facial Bones:
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Vomer: This flat, thin bone forms the posterior and inferior part of the nasal septum, the structure that divides the nasal cavity. It's located in the midline of the face, directly behind the nasal bones. Wikipedia provides further detail on the vomer's anatomy and function.
-
Mandible: This is the lower jawbone, a large, strong bone that is crucial for chewing and speech. It's the only movable bone in the facial skeleton.
Several sources confirm this information: OpenStax, Kenhub, Lumen Learning, and numerous other anatomical resources. Quizlet also supports this fact in a question and answer format: Quizlet.
