The Ultimate Skull Anatomy Quiz

Anatomy of the Skull

• The skull supports the face and protects the brain.
• The adult human skull is composed of 22 bones divided into two parts: neurocranium and viscerocranium.
• The neurocranium forms the cranial cavity that surrounds and protects the brain.
• The neurocranium is formed from 8 bones: frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, occipital, 2 temporal, and 2 parietal bones.
• The viscerocranium forms the anterior and lower regions of the skull and includes the mandible.
• The facial skeleton consists of 14 bones: 2 nasal, 2 lacrimal, 2 palatine, 2 inferior nasal concha, 2 zygomatic, 2 maxilla, 1 mandible, and 1 vomer.
• The mandible is the only truly motile joint found in the skull.
• The skull also contains sinuses, which are air-filled cavities that contribute to lessening the weight of the skull.
• The sinuses contribute to resonance of the voice and assist in the warming and moistening of air inhaled via the nose.
• The bones of the skull, with the exception of the mandible, are joined together by synarthrodial (immovable) joints called sutures.
• The sutures are important for the development of the skull and allow for some growth during childhood.
• The fontanelles are soft spots on a baby's skull where the sutures have not yet fused together.