Model of the head with exposed muscles, vessels and nerves

Anatomically, the model can be used to gain an understanding of many different structures.



The left half of the face shows how the head's largest vessels and nerves run in relation to the surrounding musculature.

In this connection, muscles from many of the head's muscle groups are shown, including:



The mimic facial muscles
The muscles of mastication
The superficial neck muscles


In relation to these, the largest arteries that supply the superficial facial muscles can be seen:



Branches from A. carotis communis: A. facialis with side branches, A. auricularis posterior, A. occipitalis
A. temporalis superficialis with A. transversae faciei, A. zygomaticofacialis and the terminal branch ramus frontalis.


In addition, the largest nerves that supply the area can be seen, including branches from N. ophthalmicus and N. Mandibularis, individual branches from the cervical plexus, N. facialis with its terminal branches and finally sensory nerves to the neck and back of the head.



Of other structures, the parotid gland (one of the three large paired salivary glands) is seen with its duct running over the M. masseter and through the M. buccinator.



When the head is separated from the neck, the structures that pass through the neck are seen in a horizontal section, including:



Internal and external carotid arteries and internal jugular vein
No. cervicales, plexus brachialis and N. accessorius
Suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles, the scalene muscles, individual pharyngeal muscles and the back muscles that attach around the neck.
The thyroid cartilage (cartilago thyroidea) and parts of the larynx
Palatine and lingual tonsils


When the two halves of the head are separated from each other, a saggital section is seen through the oral cavity, nasal cavity and brain. This section also shows:



The sinuses (sinus sphenoidalis, ethmoidalis and frontalis)
The hard and soft palate (palatum durum and soft palate)
The turbinates (concha basalis superior, media and inferior)
In relation to the pharynx, the following are seen: recessus pharyngeus, ostium pharyngeum tuba auditory and tonsilla pharyngea


As mentioned, the brain is shown both in a cross-section, but can also be taken out from the skull. Structures can be seen:



telencephalon
The midbrain (diencephalon)
cerebellum
The brainstem
Some of the venous sinuses

Clinically speaking, the model can be used to understand disease problems related to the muscles, vessels, nerves and surrounding structures of the head.



For example, facial paresis, formation of salivary stones in the salivary glands (carotid stenosis), and disorders related to the jaw muscles and jaw joint such as temporomandibular dysfunction.



Furthermore, the model can be used to understand lesions and disorders in specific areas of the brain. Examples are epilepsy, brain tumors, hydrocephalus, lesions involving cranial nerves and sclerosis (multiple sclerosis).