Mikrokosmographia a description of the body of man. Together vvith the controuersies thereto belonging. Collected and translated out of all the best authors of anatomy, especially out of Gasper Bauhinus and Andreas Laurentius. By Helkiah Crooke Doctor of Physicke, physitian to His Maiestie, and his Highnesse professor in anatomy and chyrurgerie. Published by the Kings Maiesties especiall direction and warrant according to the first integrity, as it was originally written by the author.

CHAP. VI. Of the two Bones common to the Scul and the vpper Iaw.

THE two Bones which belong as well to the vpper iaw as to the scull, are cal∣led Sphenoides or the Wedge-bone, and Spongoides the spongy bone called * 1.1 also Cribriforme or Ethmoides. The first is set like a Wedge (whence it hath his name) betwixte the bones before described and the bones of the Vpper iaw, so that it toucheth them almost all. In infants it is made of foure bones but after we are growne it also groweth into one entire bone. And because it hath many processes and inequalities on both sides, a man can compare it to no one thing, wherfore the Ancients called it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as if we should say, seare-shaped.

The substance of it is fast and strong, but the inside somewhat spongie. It hath many processes, two on the inside called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, two called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 like Bats winges, and foure small ones which make the saddle or seate.

It hath also many hollownesses or bosomes, some outward in the wingie processes, o∣thers inward, in which [Tab. 4. fig. 10, at C] the Opticke Nerues are ioyned, then the sad∣dle itselfe wherein is the Glandule placed [Tab. 4. fig. 10, ^•] which receiueth the Phlegme, from whence afterward it floweth into the Palate and the Nosethrils.

It hath also many cauities and ten holes, fiue in the Orbe of the eye, and other fiue in the basis of the Scull. The exact description of all which you must looke for in the booke of Bones.

The second bone common to the Skull and the vpper Iaw is called Spongoides or Eth∣moides Cribre forme; because it is full of holes as a Siue or searce, but it may better be cal∣led * 1.2 the spongy bone, because the holes are not for the most part direct, but crooked and oblique like the pores of a sponge.

It is placed in the forepart of the Skull without the meninges and occupieth almost all

[illustration]

Tab. 5. Fig. 12. sheweth the inside of the wedg and spongy bones. Fig. 13. Two portions of the bones of the Sinciput a little disioyned the one from the other, that the frame of the Suturemight be better perceiued. Fig. 14. sheweth a part of the bone sinciput di∣uided with a saw from the rest of the same bone, the better to exhibite the substance of the Scull.

[illustration]

TABVLA. V.

[illustration]

FIG XII

• A A. The spongy or the eight bone.
• B. A bridge or partition diuiding the Or∣ganes of smelling.
• C. D. Two cauities of the wedge bone.
• E. A partition distinguishing them asunder.
• F. A hole of one of the Cauities ending in the Nostrils.
• G. A right Cauity scituated vnder the two former.
• H H. Processes like to Bats wings.
• a b 14. The vpper or exterior Table a, the interiour o.
• c 14. A cauernouse or spongy substance in the middest betwixt them called Diplois.

[illustration]

XIII

[illustration]

XIV.

the cauity of the nose; it is ioyned to the middest of the bottome of the forehead bone, [Tab. 4, fig. 10, ^•] and is distinguished from the wedge bone by the a bastard seame called a Harmony, which is accounted for the ninth Suture. [Tab. 4, fig. 10, aboue ^u] There are foure parts of this bone. The first is an vpper processe in themidst, long & triangular like a Cocks combe. The second is on both sides that processe [Tab. 4, fig. 10 ^{K I}. Tab. 5, fig. 12, ^AA] which is couered with a thinne Membrane likewise perforated. The third is a lower processe op∣posite to the vpper which diuideth the vpper part of the nose into two parts. The fourth part is the substance itselfe of the sponge from whence it hath his name. The vse of it is to admit aer for the generation of Animall spirits, to admit vapours to the sense of smel∣ling; * 1.3 but the pores of it are not direct but oblique and crooked least the cold ayer should too directly ascend vnto the braine to refrigerate or coole it ouermuch.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Wedge-bone.
• * 1.2

  The Spongie bone.
• * 1.3

  The vse of it.