During cranial flexion, what happens to the anterior-posterior diameter?

Study for the OMM 6 – Cranial Evaluation and Treatment Test. Explore cranial anatomy and osteopathic principles with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Prepare comprehensively to excel in your exam!

Multiple Choice

During cranial flexion, what happens to the anterior-posterior diameter?

Explanation:
In cranial flexion the skull shortens front-to-back as the sphenoid and occiput rotate about the sphenobasilar synchondrosis and move closer along the anterior-posterior axis. This brings the midline bones toward each other, reducing the anterior-posterior diameter. The opposite happens in extension, where the AP diameter lengthens. A helpful cue is that flexion tends to increase transverse width while shortening the AP span.

In cranial flexion the skull shortens front-to-back as the sphenoid and occiput rotate about the sphenobasilar synchondrosis and move closer along the anterior-posterior axis. This brings the midline bones toward each other, reducing the anterior-posterior diameter. The opposite happens in extension, where the AP diameter lengthens. A helpful cue is that flexion tends to increase transverse width while shortening the AP span.

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