Velpeau's Anatomy of regions / translated from the French by Henry Hancock.

  • Velpeau, A. (Alfred), 1795-1867.
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Velpeau's Anatomy of regions / translated from the French by Henry Hancock. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    CHAPTER SECOND. OF THE CRANIUM. The cranium forms at least two thirds of the head. It is continuous with the spine, of which it is considered, by some anatomists, as being merely an increased developement, composed of numerous vertebrae. More regularly oval than the head, being longer posteriorly than anteriorly, both in its vertical and trans- verse diameter, it is naturally most liable to fractures in the former. Externally, its anterior portion belongs to the face. The whole of its inferior surface, or base, is concealed by the face, and the superior extremity of the neck, with which it unites. Internally, it presents a cavity, the vault or roof of which, invested by dura mater, folding in upon itself, in the median line, forming the falx cerebri and cerebelli, and after- wards, horizontally, the tentorium cerebelli, is traversed by various grooves, either for sinuses or arteries, and presents irregularities, corresponding to the convolutions of the brain. Its base, divided into three fossae, the orbito-ethmoidal, spheno- temporal, and occipital, is perforated by openings, for the passage of nerves and vessels. Its position, and the nature of the bones composing it, render it the common seat of fractures of the head from percussion. As it is quite incompressible, the reduction of its diameters during labour should never be attempted. From its relation to the base of the brain, and the nerves arising from it, exostosis and all other diseases are incomparably more dangerous here than in the vault of the cranium. The hair, which covers the greater portion of the cranium, interferes in the treatment of its wounds, either by getting be- tween their edges, or by adhering to the plasters, causing irri- tation at each dressing. It is therefore necessary, that, in all cases of wounds of this part, the integuments be carefully shaved, which allows the sutures to be traced, and facilitates the diagnosis of fractures. This portion of the head presents three regions; the frontal, temporo-parietal, and the. occipital, which we will now, successively, examine. SECTION FIRST. FRONTAL REGION. Externally, each frontal region presents a transverse depres- sion, and in the centre a rounded prominence, receiving the names of frontal protuberance and depression; more interiorly, another depression, which is triangular, and descends between the eyebrows to the root of the nose; internally, the veins,