How Much Force Does It Take To Break Facial Bones?

Introduction

Facial bones are some of the most delicate and important bones in the human body. Not only do they provide structure to the face, but they also protect the eyes, nose, and mouth from harm. But how much force does it take to break one of these bones? It turns out, the answer depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of bone, the direction of the force, and the age of the person. In this blog post, we’ll explore the science behind how much force it takes to break facial bones, and what can be done to prevent these fractures.

Types of Facial Bones

The face is made up of fourteen different bones, all of which can be broken. These bones include the maxilla, mandible, zygomatic, nasal, lacrimal, and ethmoid bones. Each of these bones has its own unique structure and strength, and therefore requires different amounts of force to break.

Maxilla

The maxilla is the largest facial bone and is located at the upper part of the face. It is made up of two parts: the maxillary sinuses and the maxilla itself. The maxilla is the strongest facial bone and can withstand a lot of force before it fractures. It takes a significant impact of up to 10,000 Newtons of force to break the maxilla.

Mandible

The mandible is the lower jawbone and is located below the maxilla. It is the most commonly broken facial bone, as it is much more fragile than the maxilla. It takes a force of around 2,000 to 3,000 Newtons to break the mandible.

Zygomatic

The zygomatic bones are two bones located at the sides of the face, and are responsible for the shape of the cheekbones. These bones are relatively strong, as they are connected to other facial bones, such as the maxilla and mandible. It takes a force of around 4,000 to 5,000 Newtons to break the zygomatic bones.

Nasal

The nasal bones are two small bones located at the bridge of the nose. They are the most fragile facial bones and can be easily broken with a force of just 1,000 Newtons.

Lacrimal

The lacrimal bones are two small bones located at the inner corner of the eye sockets. They are also very fragile and can be broken with a force of just 500 to 1,000 Newtons.

Ethmoid

The ethmoid bone is located between the nasal cavity and the brain. It is a very delicate bone and can be broken with a force of around 2,000 to 3,000 Newtons.

Age and Gender

It is important to note that the amount of force required to break a facial bone can vary depending on the age and gender of the person. Generally speaking, younger people have stronger bones and can withstand more force than older people. Similarly, men tend to have stronger bones than women and can withstand more force.

Prevention

The best way to prevent facial fractures is to wear protective gear, such as a helmet, when engaging in activities that may put you at risk for a facial injury. Wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the amount of force to the face, and may be the difference between a fracture and a minor injury.

Conclusion

Facial bones are some of the most delicate and important bones in the human body, and can be easily broken if exposed to too much force. The amount of force required to break a facial bone can vary depending on the type of bone, the direction of the force, and the age and gender of the person. The best way to prevent facial fractures is to wear protective gear, such as a helmet, when engaging in activities that may put you at risk for a facial injury.”