Human Skull Structure

Structure

• The skull is a bony structure that protects the brain and sensory organs
• Divided into two parts: cranium and face

Cranium

• Forms the upper part of the skull
• Protects the brain
• Composed of 8 bones:
  1. Frontal bone
  2. Parietal bone (2)
  3. Occipital bone
  4. Temporal bone (2)
  5. Sphenoid bone
  6. Ethmoid bone

Face

• Forms the lower part of the skull
• Supports the facial features
• Composed of 14 bones:
  1. Vomer
  2. Zygoma (2)
  3. Maxilla (2)
  4. Lacrimal bone (2)
  5. Palatine bone (2)
  6. Inferior nasal conchae (2)
  7. Mandible (jawbone)

Sutures

• Fibrous joints between bones of the cranium
• Allow for slight movement during birth and early childhood
• Eventually fuse together

Functions

• Protects the brain and sensory organs
• Supports the face and facial features
• Provides attachment points for muscles of mastication and facial expression
• Houses the nasal and oral cavities

Skull Structure

• The skull is a bony structure that protects the brain and sensory organs
• Divided into two parts: cranium and face

Cranium

• Forms the upper part of the skull
• Protects the brain
• Composed of 8 bones: • Frontal bone • Parietal bone (2) • Occipital bone • Temporal bone (2) • Sphenoid bone • Ethmoid bone

Face

• Forms the lower part of the skull
• Supports the facial features
• Composed of 14 bones: • Vomer • Zygoma (2) • Maxilla (2) • Lacrimal bone (2) • Palatine bone (2) • Inferior nasal conchae (2) • Mandible (jawbone)

Sutures

• Fibrous joints between bones of the cranium
• Allow for slight movement during birth and early childhood
• Eventually fuse together

Skull Functions

• Protects the brain and sensory organs
• Supports the face and facial features
• Provides attachment points for muscles of mastication and facial expression
• Houses the nasal and oral cavities