The head is the name given to the uppermost area of the human body. This lies on the neck and is also connected to it. The head has many important functions, contains significant sensory organs as well as a large part of the central nervous system.
What is the head?
The head, Latin caput, is the uppermost part of the body in humans and the foremost in animals. It consists of bones as well as organs. Among its important functions are protection from external influences and access to the digestive and respiratory tracts. This is where food intake is carried out and the various bodily functions are coordinated. The head contains the brain, which is protected from external influences by the bony skull. The important sense organs such as eyes, nose and ears are also located here. The brain receives and processes stimuli from these sense organs. In the front part is the face, which is also involved in the facial expressions and beauty of a person. In the back and upper part there is hair in most cases. The outermost area is covered with skin, which is also one of the sensory organs.
Anatomy and structure
The head is anatomically divided into different regions. They simplify the description of the location of pathological changes. These include the cheek, chin, nose, mouth, orbit, parotid gland, and zygomatic arch regions. Externally, the head is covered by skin and hair. The skull is the bony framework of the head and forms a cavity. It is made up of 22 bones that vary in shape. With the exception of the lower jaw, these bones are connected to each other and form a body. The brain and the many sensory organs are protected by this bony foundation. The skull sits on the cervical spine and is mobile. The face forms the front part of the head. It is formed by the skull and includes the nose, eyes, and mouth. The facial hair is more pronounced in the male sex. On the side of each lies an ear. The ear consists on three parts. The outer, middle and outer part. In the interior of the head, in addition to the cranial and oral cavity, there are other cavities. These would be approximately the eye, nasal and paranasal sinuses.
Tasks and functions
The head looks different in each person, but performs the same function. This contains and protects many important organs that control the entire body. The brain, located in the cranial cavity, is a part of the central nervous system. This is where the various sensory inputs are processed and complex bodily functions are coordinated. The head also houses the important sensory organs such as the eyes, ears, tongue, nose and skin. When information in the form of stimuli hits these, the corresponding information is transmitted to the brain with the help of nerves. The brain processes these stimuli so that the human or animal consciously perceives them. In this way, emotions, characters, ways of acting, bodily reactions and drives are created. In addition to these functions, the head also acts as a gateway to the digestive tract, allowing for the intake of food and fluids. Food, in turn, provides essential nutrients necessary for survival. The enzymatic breakdown of carbohydrates begins in the mouth. The opening to the airways is also located here, allowing the inhalation of oxygenated air. Furthermore, the mouth is also involved in speech and allows interpersonal communication. The face, which consists of the front side of the head, provides information about a person’s state of mind. And it does so with the help of facial expressions, which involve all areas of the face. The head also reduces the penetration of unwanted particles and toxins. This function is favored with natural bacteria in saliva, which decompose foreign bacteria. The nasal hairs make it difficult for dust and dirt to penetrate. On the back of the head are hairs that vary in thickness and serve to protect against cold.
Complaints and diseases
Diseases and disorders of the head can affect all regions. Both the bones, as well as the sensory organs and the brain can be the reason. It may be an acute or chronic, congenital or acquired disease. The pathological condition can be inflammation, infection, tumor, impairment, degradation and loss.These can include the vessels, tissues, bones and nerve cells. Starting in the brain, the cause of severe headaches can be high blood pressure. Disturbances in the regulation of the circulatory system, or the organs of balance can cause dizziness. After strokes, one half of the face, arms and legs is usually permanently, or temporarily paralyzed. Various neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease cause brain degeneration and prematurely deteriorate cognitive performance. Other neurological disease such as epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis worsen and complicate quality of life. In multiple sclerosis, the myelin sheaths that coat the nerve fibers are attacked and irreversibly destroyed. Because the central nervous system is involved, almost any neurological disability can result. Typical symptoms include visual disturbances and a reduction in eye mobility. Accidents with serious head injuries can cause concussion, or brain contusion. A fractured skull is also possible. There are also many types of eye diseases, which can be mild or severe. Impaired vision, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, and stye are just a few examples. Furthermore, the sense of smell and hearing can be disturbed, or absent. Sinusitis is also a common complaint.
