| Human head | |
|---|---|
 The human head drawn by Leonardo da Vinci | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | caput |
| MeSH | D006257 |
| TA98 | A01.1.00.001 |
| TA2 | 98 |
| FMA | 7154 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
In human anatomy, the head is at the top of the human body. It supports the face and is maintained by the skull, which itself encloses the brain.
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The human head consists of a fleshy outer portion, which surrounds the bony skull. The brain is enclosed within the skull. There are 22 bones in the human head. The head rests on the neck, and the seven cervical vertebrae support it. The human head typically weighs between 2.3 and 5 kilograms (5.1 and 11.0 lb) Over 98% of humans fit into this range. There have been odd incidences where human beings have abnormally small or large heads. The Zika virus was responsible for underdeveloped heads in the early 2000s.
The face is the anterior part of the head, containing the eyes, nose, and mouth. On either side of the mouth, the cheeks provide a fleshy border to the oral cavity. The ears sit to either side of the head.
The head receives blood supply through the internal and external carotid arteries. These supply the area outside of the skull (external carotid artery) and inside of the skull (internal carotid artery). The area inside the skull also receives blood supply from the vertebral arteries, which travel up through the cervical vertebrae.
The twelve pairs of cranial nerves provide the majority of nervous control to the head. The sensation to the face is provided by the branches of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve. Sensation to other portions of the head is provided by the cervical nerves.
Modern texts are in agreement about which areas of the skin are served by which nerves, but there are minor variations in some of the details. The borders designated by diagrams in the 1918 edition of Gray's Anatomy are similar but not identical to those generally accepted today.
The cutaneous innervation of the head is as follows:
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The head contains sensory organs: two eyes, two ears, a nose and tongue inside of the mouth. It also houses the brain. Together, these organs function as a processing center for the body by relaying sensory information to the brain. Humans can process information faster by having this central nerve cluster.
For humans, the front of the head (the face) is the main distinguishing feature between different people due to its easily discernible features, such as eye and hair colors, shapes of the sensory organs, and the wrinkles. Humans easily differentiate between faces because of the brain's predisposition toward facial recognition. When observing a relatively unfamiliar species, all faces seem nearly identical. Human infants are biologically programmed to recognize subtle differences in anthropomorphic facial features. [1]
People who have greater than average intelligence are sometimes depicted in cartoons as having bigger heads as a way of notionally indicating that they have a "larger head". Additionally, in science fiction, an extraterrestrial having a big head is often symbolic of high intelligence. Despite this depiction, advances in neurobiology have shown that the functional diversity of the brain means that a difference in overall brain size is only slightly to moderately correlated to differences in overall intelligence between two humans. [2]
The head is a source for many metaphors and metonymies in human language, including referring to things typically near the human head ( "the head of the bed"), things physically similar to the way a head is arranged spatially to a body ("the head of the table"), metaphorically ("the head of the class"), and things that represent some characteristics associated with the head, such as intelligence ("there are a lot of good heads in this company"). [3]
Ancient Greeks had a method for evaluating sexual attractiveness based on the Golden ratio, part of which included measurements of the head. [4]
Headhunting is the practice of taking and preserving a person's head after killing the person. Headhunting has been practiced across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania for millennia. [5]
Headpieces can signify status, origin, religious/spiritual beliefs, social grouping, team affiliation, occupation, or fashion choices.
In many cultures, covering the head is seen as a sign of respect. Often, some or all of the head must be covered and veiled when entering holy places or places of prayer. For many centuries, women in Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia have covered their head hair as a sign of modesty. This trend has changed drastically in Europe in the 20th century, although is still observed in other parts of the world. In addition, a number of religions require men to wear specific head clothing—such as the Islamic taqiyah, Jewish yarmulke, or the Sikh turban. The same goes for women with the Muslim hijab or Christian nun's habit.
A hat is a head covering that can serve a variety of purposes. Hats may be worn as part of a uniform or used as a protective device, such as a hard hat, a covering for warmth, a covering that meets sensory needs in some neurodivergent people, or a fashion accessory. Hats can also be indicative of social status in some areas of the world.
While numerous charts detailing head sizes in infants and children exist, most do not measure average head circumference past the age of 21. Reference charts for adult head circumference also generally feature homogeneous samples and fail to take height and weight into account. [6]
One study in the United States estimated the average human head circumference to be 57 centimetres (22+1⁄2 in) in males and 55 centimetres (21+3⁄4 in) in females. [7] [ dubious – discuss ] A British study by Newcastle University showed an average size of 57.2 cm for males and 55.2 cm for females with average size varying proportionally with height [8]
Macrocephaly can be an indicator of increased risk for some types of cancer in individuals who carry the genetic mutation that causes Cowden syndrome. For adults, this refers to head sizes greater than 58 centimeters in men or greater than 57 centimeters in women. [9] [10]
[ citation needed ]
Some values in the table below may not be correct. In particular, a random biocular breadth measurement showed a value of 101.6 mm for an average adult male. The first percentile value below is 110 mm for an adult male. Another user has also indicate around 100 mm being an average value for biocular breadth. Therefore, the biocular breadth values appear to be increased by around 22 mm.
| Measurement | Image | Description | Sex | Percentile (centimetres) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5th | 50th | 95th | 99th | ||||
| Head breadth | 1 | The maximum breadth of the head, usually above and behind the ears. | Men | 13.9 | 14.3 | 15.2 | 16.1 | 16.5 |
| Women | 13.3 | 13.7 | 14.4 | 15.0 | 15.8 | |||
| Interpupilliary breadth | 2 | The distance between the centres of the pupils of the eyes, while looking straight ahead. | Men | 5.7 | 5.9 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 7.4 |
| Women | 5.5 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 7.0 | |||
| Face breadth (bizygomatic) | 3 | The breadth of the face, measured across the most lateral projections of the cheek bones (zygomatic arches). | Men | 12.8 | 13.2 | 14.0 | 15.0 | 15.4 |
| Women | 12.1 | 12.3 | 12.8 | 14.0 | 15.4 | |||
| Face length (menton-sellion) | 4 | The vertical distance from the tip of the chin (menton) to the deepest point of the nasal root depression between the eyes (sellion). | Men | 10.8 | 11.2 | 12.2 | 13.3 | 13.7 |
| Women | 10.1 | 10.4 | 11.3 | 12.4 | 12.9 | |||
| Biocular breadth | 5 | The distance from the outer corners of the eyes (right and left ectocanthi). | Men | 11.0 | 11.3 | 12.2 | 13.1 | 13.6 |
| Women | 10.8 | 11.1 | 11.6 | 12.9 | 13.3 | |||
| Bitragion breadth | 6 | The breadth of the head from the right tragion to the left. Tragion is the cartilaginous notch at the front of the ear. | Men | 13.1 | 13.5 | 14.5 | 15.5 | 15.9 |
| Women | 12.5 | 12.8 | 13.3 | 14.3 | 15.0 | |||
| Glabella to back of head | 7 | The horizontal distance from the most anterior point of the forehead between the brow-ridges (glabella) to the back of the head. | Men | 18.3 | 18.8 | 20.0 | 21.1 | 21.7 |
| Women | 17.5 | 18.0 | 19.1 | 20.2 | 20.7 | |||
| Menton to back of head | 8 | The horizontal distance from the tip of the chin (menton) to the back of the head. | Men | 15.7 | 16.5 | 18.2 | 20.0 | 20.7 |
| Women | 15.2 | 15.8 | 17.3 | 18.9 | 19.6 | |||
| Sellion to top of head | 9 | The vertical distance from the nasal root depression between the eyes (sellion) to the level of the top of the head. | Men | 9.7 | 10.1 | 11.2 | 12.4 | 12.9 |
| Women | 9.0 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11.7 | 12.2 | |||
| Stomion to top of head | 10 | The vertical distance from the midpoint of the lips (stomion) to the level of the top of the head, measured with a headboard. | Men | 16.9 | 17.4 | 18.6 | 19.9 | 20.6 |
| Women | 15.7 | 16.3 | 17.5 | 18.8 | 19.4 | |||
| Sellion to back of head | 11 | The horizontal distance from the nasal root depression between the eyes (sellion), to the back of the head, measured with a headboard. | Men | 18.0 | 18.5 | 19.7 | 20.9 | 21.4 |
| Women | 17.4 | 17.8 | 18.9 | 20.0 | 20.5 | |||
| Pronasale to back of head | 12 | The horizontal distance from the tip of the nose (pronasale) to the back of the head. | Men | 20.0 | 20.5 | 22.0 | 23.2 | 23.9 |
| Women | 19.2 | 19.7 | 21.0 | 22.2 | 22.8 | |||
| Head length | 13 | The maximum length of the head; measured from the most anterior point of the forehead between the brow ridges (glabella) to the back of the head (occiput). | Men | 18.0 | 18.5 | 19.7 | 20.9 | 21.3 |
| Women | 17.2 | 17.6 | 18.7 | 19.8 | 20.2 | |||
| Menton to top of head | 14 | The vertical distance from the bottom of the chin (menton) to the top of the head. | Men | 21.2 | 21.8 | 23.2 | 24.7 | 25.5 |
| Women | 19.8 | 20.4 | 21.8 | 23.2 | 23.8 | |||
| Menton-crinion length | 15 | The vertical distance from the bottom of the chin (menton) to the midpoint of the hairline (crinion). | Men | 16.6 | 17.4 | 19.1 | 20.9 | 21.6 |
| Women | 15.5 | 16.1 | 17.7 | 19.2 | 19.9 | |||
| Menton-subnasale length | 16 | The distance from the bottom of the chin (menton) to the base of the nasal septum (subnasale). | Men | 6.1 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 8.7 |
| Women | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.8 | 8.3 | |||
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is one of two components that make up the nervous system of bilateral animals, with the other part being the central nervous system (CNS). The PNS consists of nerves and ganglia, which lie outside the brain and the spinal cord. The main function of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs, essentially serving as a relay between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. Unlike the CNS, the PNS is not protected by the vertebral column and skull, or by the blood–brain barrier, which leaves it exposed to toxins.
Cranial nerves are the nerves that emerge directly from the brain, of which there are conventionally considered twelve pairs. Cranial nerves relay information between the brain and parts of the body, primarily to and from regions of the head and neck, including the special senses of vision, taste, smell, and hearing.
The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve, cranial nerve X, or simply CN X, is a cranial nerve that carries sensory fibers that create a pathway that interfaces with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract.
The neck is the part of the body on many vertebrates that connects the head with the torso. The neck supports the weight of the head and protects the nerves that carry sensory and motor information from the brain down to the rest of the body. In addition, the neck is highly flexible and allows the head to turn and flex in all directions. The structures of the human neck are anatomically grouped into four compartments: vertebral, visceral and two vascular compartments. Within these compartments, the neck houses the cervical vertebrae and cervical part of the spinal cord, upper parts of the respiratory and digestive tracts, endocrine glands, nerves, arteries and veins. Muscles of the neck are described separately from the compartments. They bound the neck triangles.
Articles related to anatomy include:
The brainstem is the posterior stalk-like part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. In the human brain the brainstem is composed of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. The midbrain is continuous with the thalamus of the diencephalon through the tentorial notch, and sometimes the diencephalon is included in the brainstem.
In human anatomy, the forehead is an area of the head bounded by three features, two of the skull and one of the scalp. The top of the forehead is marked by the hairline, the edge of the area where hair on the scalp grows. The bottom of the forehead is marked by the supraorbital ridge, the bone feature of the skull above the eyes. The two sides of the forehead are marked by the temporal ridge, a bone feature that links the supraorbital ridge to the coronal suture line and beyond. However, the eyebrows do not form part of the forehead.
The internal carotid artery is an artery in the neck which supplies the anterior and middle cerebral circulation.
The scalp is the area of the head where head hair grows. It is made up of skin, layers of connective and fibrous tissues, and the membrane of the skull. Anatomically, the scalp is part of the epicranium, a collection of structures covering the cranium. The scalp is bordered by the face at the front, and by the neck at the sides and back. The scientific study of hair and scalp is called trichology.
In tetrapods, cervical vertebrae are the vertebrae of the neck, immediately below the skull. Truncal vertebrae lie caudal of cervical vertebrae. In sauropsid species, the cervical vertebrae bear cervical ribs. In lizards and saurischian dinosaurs, the cervical ribs are large; in birds, they are small and completely fused to the vertebrae. The vertebral transverse processes of mammals are homologous to the cervical ribs of other amniotes. Most mammals have seven cervical vertebrae, with the only three known exceptions being the manatee with six, the two-toed sloth with five or six, and the three-toed sloth with nine.
The vertebral arteries are major arteries of the neck. Typically, the vertebral arteries originate from the subclavian arteries. Each vessel courses superiorly along each side of the neck, merging within the skull to form the single, midline basilar artery. As the supplying component of the vertebrobasilar vascular system, the vertebral arteries supply blood to the upper spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior part of brain.
In anatomy, the left and right common carotid arteries (carotids) are arteries that supply the head and neck with oxygenated blood; they divide in the neck to form the external and internal carotid arteries.
The cavernous sinus within the human head is one of the dural venous sinuses creating a cavity called the lateral sellar compartment bordered by the temporal bone of the skull and the sphenoid bone, lateral to the sella turcica.
The petrous part of the temporal bone is pyramid-shaped and is wedged in at the base of the skull between the sphenoid and occipital bones. Directed medially, forward, and a little upward, it presents a base, an apex, three surfaces, and three angles, and houses in its interior the components of the inner ear. The petrous portion is among the most basal elements of the skull and forms part of the endocranium. Petrous comes from the Latin word petrosus, meaning "stone-like, hard". It is one of the densest bones in the body. In other mammals, it is a separate bone, the petrosal bone.
This article describes the anatomy of the head and neck of the human body, including the brain, bones, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, glands, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue, and throat.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:
The parapharyngeal space, is a potential space in the head and the neck. It has clinical importance in otolaryngology due to parapharyngeal space tumours and parapharyngeal abscess developing in this area. It is also a key anatomic landmark for localizing disease processes in the surrounding spaces of the neck; the direction of its displacement indirectly reflects the site of origin for masses or infection in adjacent areas, and consequently their appropriate differential diagnosis.
The following diagram is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the human nervous system:
The ciliary ganglion is a parasympathetic ganglion located just behind the eye in the posterior orbit. Three types of axons enter the ciliary ganglion but only the preganglionic parasympathetic axons synapse there. The entering axons are arranged into three roots of the ciliary ganglion, which join enter the posterior surface of the ganglion.
