the skeletal anatomy of the skull, the role of cranial sutures and the importance of anatomical guideposts in restorative art. This assignment fulfills/supports General Education Competency 1-5: You will have Communicated effectively using the conventions of American Standard English in professional and academic environments. Used critical thinking to analyze problems and make logical decisions. Demonstrated socialization skills that support cultural awareness and a global perspective. Demonstrated quantitative competencies. Demonstrate computer literacy. The Assignment Consider the following scenario in light of the information learned in this module: Mark died by suicide after placing a shotgun in his mouth and pulling the trigger. The resulting damage to his cranium and face is severe, with bones shattered and disarticulated into approximately 45 separate pieces. In an effort to offer his wife and small children the chance to see him one last time, you elect to try your best to make him viewable. Discuss and answer the following 2 questions: 1. When will the restoration take place; before, during or after embalming? Why is this important? 2. Discuss the vital role of the the zygomatic bone in this particular restoration. What can the zygomatic bone tell us and how can we use this to work towards our success?
Skeletal Anatomy of the Skull, Cranial Sutures, and Anatomical Guideposts in Restorative Art
Introduction
Restorative art plays a crucial role in the field of mortuary science, where professionals strive to restore the deceased to a dignified and viewable state for their loved ones. One of the most challenging scenarios encountered is when a person dies by suicide using a shotgun, resulting in severe cranial and facial damage. In such cases, understanding the skeletal anatomy of the skull, the role of cranial sutures, and the importance of anatomical guideposts becomes paramount. This essay will delve into these topics, examining how they inform the restoration process in cases like that of Mark, who tragically took his own life. The discussion will also address the timing of restoration in relation to embalming and emphasize the vital role of the zygomatic bone in achieving successful restoration.
Skeletal Anatomy of the Skull
To comprehend the complexities of restorative art in cases of severe cranial damage, it is essential to first understand the skeletal anatomy of the skull. The human skull consists of 22 bones, divided into two categories: cranial bones and facial bones (Standring, 2016). The cranial bones form the cranium, protecting the brain, while the facial bones create the framework for the face. In this discussion, we will primarily focus on the cranial bones and their significance in restoration.
The cranial bones include the frontal bone, parietal bones, temporal bones, occipital bone, sphenoid bone, and ethmoid bone. These bones are fused together by immovable joints called sutures, which provide strength and stability to the skull (Moore & Dalley, 2018). Understanding the location and characteristics of these cranial bones is essential for restorative art professionals when dealing with shattered and disarticulated remains, such as in the case of Mark.
The Role of Cranial Sutures
Cranial sutures are fibrous joints that connect the cranial bones. They are classified into four major types: sagittal, coronal, lambdoid, and squamous sutures (Moore & Dalley, 2018). Each of these sutures has distinct characteristics and plays a vital role in understanding the extent of damage in cases like Mark’s and guiding the restoration process.
- Sagittal Suture: The sagittal suture runs along the midline of the skull, separating the right and left parietal bones. In a disarticulated skull, identifying the sagittal suture helps in aligning and reassembling the parietal bones, contributing to the overall reconstruction of the cranium.
- Coronal Suture: The coronal suture is located in the frontal region of the skull and separates the frontal bone from the parietal bones. In restorative art, the coronal suture’s position aids in realigning the frontal bone, ensuring proper facial symmetry.
- Lambdoid Suture: The lambdoid suture is found in the posterior part of the skull, separating the parietal bones from the occipital bone. Identifying this suture assists in reconstructing the occipital region and achieving a more natural appearance.
- Squamous Suture: The squamous suture separates the temporal bone from the parietal bone. This suture’s recognition helps in positioning the temporal bones accurately, contributing to the restoration of the ear and side of the face.
In cases like Mark’s, where the cranial bones are shattered into numerous pieces, understanding the location and characteristics of these sutures becomes critical. It allows restorative art professionals to piece together the fragmented bones, restoring the overall shape of the skull and face.
Importance of Anatomical Guideposts
Anatomical guideposts are specific landmarks on the human skull and face that serve as reference points for restorative art professionals (Douglas & Hensley, 2017). These guideposts aid in achieving facial symmetry and ensuring a natural appearance during the restoration process. Some of the key anatomical guideposts include the glabella, external auditory meatus, zygomatic arch, and the maxilla-mandibular junction.
- Glabella: The glabella is the smooth, slightly depressed area located between the eyebrows. It serves as a central reference point for positioning the nasal structure and ensuring proper alignment of the forehead.
- External Auditory Meatus: The external auditory meatus is the ear canal’s opening. It helps in positioning the ears correctly on the skull, contributing to the restoration of the side of the face.
- Zygomatic Arch: The zygomatic arch, formed by the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) and the temporal bone, is a prominent guidepost. Proper placement of the zygomatic arch is crucial for achieving facial symmetry and contouring the cheeks.
- Maxilla-Mandibular Junction: This junction refers to the point where the upper jawbone (maxilla) meets the lower jawbone (mandible). Accurate positioning of this junction is vital for creating a natural-looking mouth and aligning the lower facial region.
In the case of Mark’s severe cranial and facial damage, anatomical guideposts become indispensable tools for restorative art professionals. They provide reference points for reconstructing the face, allowing for the alignment of facial features and the restoration of symmetry.
Timing of Restoration in Relation to Embalming
Now that we have discussed the importance of understanding cranial anatomy, sutures, and anatomical guideposts, let us address the timing of restoration in relation to embalming, especially in cases like Mark’s.
- When will the restoration take place; before, during, or after embalming? Why is this important?
The restoration process in mortuary science can occur at various stages: before embalming, during embalming, or after embalming. The decision regarding the timing of restoration depends on the specific circumstances and the extent of the deceased’s injuries.
a. Before Embalming: Restorative art can begin before embalming in cases where the damage is extensive and renders the body unviewable. This is particularly relevant in cases like Mark’s, where the cranial and facial bones are shattered into multiple pieces. By starting the restoration process before embalming, restorative art professionals can better assess and address the extent of the damage. This can involve reassembling the cranial bones, aligning anatomical guideposts, and stabilizing the facial structure. Pre-embalming restoration sets the foundation for a successful embalming process and ultimately ensures a more natural appearance during viewing.
b. During Embalming: In some cases, restorative art is performed simultaneously with embalming. This approach is suitable when the damage is less severe and does not require extensive reconstruction. During the embalming process, restorative art professionals can make minor adjustments, such as setting features and improving the overall presentation of the deceased. This approach is often chosen for efficiency and convenience, as it combines both processes.
c. After Embalming: After embalming, restorative art may still be necessary to refine the appearance of the deceased. This is typically the case when minor adjustments are needed or when the initial restoration work was deferred until after embalming. Post-embalming restoration focuses on fine-tuning the presentation for viewing.
The choice of when to perform restoration is crucial because it impacts the overall success of the process. In severe cases like Mark’s, initiating restoration before embalming provides the restorative art professionals with a clearer view of the extent of damage and allows them to create a more stable foundation for embalming. This approach maximizes the chances of achieving a dignified and viewable presentation for the family.
The Vital Role of the Zygomatic Bone in Restoration
Among the cranial and facial bones, the zygomatic bone, also known as the cheekbone, holds particular significance in restorative art. Understanding the zygomatic bone’s role is essential in cases like Mark’s, where facial injuries are extensive.
The zygomatic bone is a paired bone that forms the prominent structure of the cheeks and contributes to the contours of the face (Moore & Dalley, 2018). In restorative art, the zygomatic bone serves several critical functions:
- Facial Symmetry: The zygomatic bone plays a pivotal role in facial symmetry. It is located on both sides of the face and helps maintain the balance of facial features. When restoring a damaged face, aligning the zygomatic bones correctly is essential to achieve a natural appearance.
- Cheek Contour: The zygomatic bone contributes to the fullness and contour of the cheeks. Proper positioning and restoration of the zygomatic bone ensure that the cheeks do not appear sunken or disproportionate.
- Eye Socket Support: The zygomatic bone also forms part of the orbital rim, providing support for the eye socket. Proper alignment of the zygomatic bone is crucial for positioning the eyes in a way that appears natural and symmetric.
- Anchoring Facial Muscles: The zygomatic bone serves as an attachment point for facial muscles. Ensuring that the zygomatic bone is correctly positioned helps maintain the integrity of these muscles, contributing to facial expression and function.
In the case of Mark, whose cranial and facial bones are shattered into approximately 45 separate pieces, the zygomatic bone becomes a central focus in the restoration process. Given its significance in facial symmetry, cheek contour, and overall facial appearance, restoring the zygomatic bone correctly is essential for achieving a dignified and viewable presentation for his family.
Moreover, the zygomatic bone can provide valuable information about the individual’s identity and appearance in cases where visual identification is challenging due to extensive trauma. Its structure and position can offer clues about the person’s facial features and help in the reconstruction process.
Conclusion
Restorative art in mortuary science is a specialized field that requires a deep understanding of skeletal anatomy, cranial sutures, and anatomical guideposts. In cases of severe cranial and facial damage, such as Mark’s, this knowledge becomes indispensable for achieving a dignified and viewable presentation for the deceased’s family.
The skeletal anatomy of the skull, including the cranial bones and sutures, provides the foundation for understanding the extent of damage and guiding the restoration process. Cranial sutures, such as the sagittal, coronal, lambdoid, and squamous sutures, help in aligning and reassembling fragmented cranial bones, contributing to the overall reconstruction of the cranium.
Anatomical guideposts, such as the glabella, external auditory meatus, zygomatic arch, and maxilla-mandibular junction, serve as reference points for achieving facial symmetry and ensuring a natural appearance during restoration. These guideposts are particularly crucial in cases of severe facial trauma, like Mark’s.
The timing of restoration in relation to embalming is a critical decision that impacts the success of the process. In severe cases, initiating restoration before embalming provides restorative art professionals with a clearer view of the damage and allows for a more stable foundation for embalming.
The zygomatic bone, as a key component of facial anatomy, holds a vital role in restoration. It contributes to facial symmetry, cheek contour, eye socket support, and the anchoring of facial muscles. Proper restoration of the zygomatic bone is essential for achieving a dignified and viewable presentation, especially in cases of extensive cranial and facial damage.
In conclusion, restorative art in mortuary science is a complex and highly specialized field that draws on knowledge of anatomy, sutures, and guideposts to restore the deceased to a dignified and viewable state. Understanding the intricacies of cranial anatomy, cranial sutures, anatomical guideposts, and the significance of the zygomatic bone is essential for restorative art professionals to provide solace and closure to grieving families during their time of loss.
References
- Standring, S. (2016). Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Elsevier.
- Moore, K. L., & Dalley, A. F. (2018). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Wolters Kluwer.
- Douglas, C. A., & Hensley, S. L. (2017). Restorative Art for Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Pearson.
