Head

For other uses, see Head (disambiguation).

The head in a human and an ant.

"Human Head" redirects here. For the game developer, see Human Head Studios.

This article is missing citations or needs footnotes. Using inline citations helps guard against copyright violations and factual inaccuracies. (July 2007)

the human head

human head from front

In anatomy, the head of an animal is the rostral part (from anatomical position) that usually comprises the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth (all of which aid in various sensory functions, such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste). Some very simple animals may not have a head, but many bilaterally symmetric forms do.

Contents 1 Anatomy generally 1.1 Bilateral symmetry 2 Cultural import 3 Clothing 4 Notes 5 References 6 See also 7 External links

Anatomy generally

Bilateral symmetry

The very simplest animals do not have a head, but many bilaterally symmetric forms do. Vertebrates in particular have distinctive heads, which is associated with the development of the neural crest in the developing vertebrate embryo.* Getting a Head, article from Nature Online. The contents of the vertebrate head are protected by an enclosure of bone called the skull, which is attached to the spine. The head is the most complex anatomical construct in the anatomy of vertebrates.* University of Cambridge\'s Veterinary Anatomy webpage

Cultural import

For humans, the head and particularly the face are the main distinguishing feature between different people, due to their easily discernible features such as hair and eye color, nose, eye and mouth shapes, wrinkles, etc.

People who are more intelligent than normal are sometimes depicted in cartoons as having bigger heads, as a way of indicating that they have more brains; in science fiction, an extraterrestrial having a big head is often symbolic of high intelligence. However, minor changes in brain size do not have much effect on intelligence in humans. [1]

In English slang, sometimes a boastful individual is said to have a "big head."

The weight of the average adult human head is about 3.6 kilograms or 8 pounds.

Clothing

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 parts of Asia, have covered their 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 religious paths require men to wear specific head clothing- such as the Jewish yarmulke, or the sikh turban; or Muslim women, who cover their hair, ears and neck with a scarf.

Different headpieces can also signify status, origin, religious/spiritual beliefs, social grouping, occupation, and fashion choices.

Notes

Cole Hobson, Nottingham, England holds the U.K record for the biggest head (area) this was achieved in jan 2008

Hats are often worn on the top of your head. Inside your head is your brain, which is one of the most vital organ in your body.

References

• Campbell, Bernard Grant. Human Evolution: An Introduction to Man\'s Adaptations (4th edition), ISBN 0-202-02042-8

See also

• Headless
• Head and neck anatomy

External links

Look up Head in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• The anatomy of a head injury.

v • d • e General anatomy of head and neck - head
Face/Occiput	Forehead • Eye (Orbit/Periorbita)  • Ear • Temple • Cheek • Chin • Scalp
Nose	External nose Nostril • Nasal septum • cartilages (of the septum, Greater alar, Lesser alar, Lateral nasal, Accessory nasal, Vomeronasal)  • Olfactory glands Nasal cavity Nasal concha • Sphenoethmoidal recess • Ethmoid bulla • Semilunar hiatus • Maxillary hiatus • Inferior meatus • Vomeronasal organ • Paranasal sinus Naso-pharynx Choana - Pharyngeal opening of auditory tube (Salpingopharyngeal fold, Salpingopalatine fold, Torus tubarius) - Pharyngeal tonsil - Pharyngeal recess
Mouth/oral cavity	Palate/roof of mouth Hard palate • Soft palate • Palatine raphe • Incisive papilla Tongue dorsum (Taste bud, Median sulcus, Terminal sulcus, Foramen cecum, Lingual tonsils) • opposite dorsum (Frenulum, Plica fimbriata, Sublingual caruncle) • Anterior • Posterior • Glossoepiglottic folds Teeth Permanent (Incisor, Canine, Premolar, Molar)  • Deciduous Oro-pharynx arches/fauces (Palatoglossal, Palatopharyngeal) • Oropharyngeal isthmus • Palatine tonsil • Uvula Salivary glands Parotid gland/Parotid duct • Submandibular gland/Submandibular duct • Sublingual gland/Major sublingual duct Other Lip (Upper, Lower) • Philtrum • Pterygomandibular raphe • Vestibule of mouth
Fascia	Masseteric fascia - Temporal fascia - Galea aponeurotica

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia