Pivot Point Barbering 108 Practice Exam

Which are the smallest two bones of the facial skeleton?

1. Maxillary bones

2. Lacrimal bones

3. Nasal bones

4. Palatine bones

The correct answer is: Lacrimal bones

The lacrimal bones are indeed the smallest two bones of the facial skeleton. They are located in the medial wall of each orbit and contribute to the eye socket. The name "lacrimal" comes from the Latin word for "tear," which reflects their association with the tear ducts. These bones are thin and small, resembling a fingernail in size and shape, and their primary function is to serve as a conduit for the nasolacrimal duct, which drains tears into the nasal cavity. This anatomical feature highlights their significance in the context of facial structure and function. While other bones listed, such as the maxillary bones, nasal bones, and palatine bones, play crucial roles in forming the structure of the face, they are larger in size than the lacrimal bones. The maxillae form the upper jaw and contain the upper teeth, the nasal bones form the bridge of the nose, and the palatine bones make up part of the hard palate. Thus, it's clear that the lacrimal bones hold the distinction of being the smallest bones in the facial skeleton.