Where is the cranium located on the body?
The cranium is located at the top of the head and is somewhat spherical in shape, like the shape of a baseball cap. It connects to the facial skeleton. Though the skull appears to be one big piece of bone from the outside, it is actually made up of eight cranial bones and 14 facial bones.
What are the two parts of the cranium?
Anatomically, the cranium is divided into two parts: cranial roof and cranial base. Also known as calvarium, this part of the cranium is formed by the frontal, occipital, and two parietal bones. It is composed of the frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, occipital, parietal, and temporal bones.
What is the difference between the cranium and skull?
The human cranium, the part that contains the brain, is globular and relatively large in comparison with the face. In most other animals the facial portion of the skull, including the upper teeth and the nose, is larger than the cranium. Additionally, is cranium and skull the same? The majority of our head is known as the cranium.
What bones make up the cranial base of the skull?
Cranial base – Made up of six bones; frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, occipital, parietal and temporal bones. The cranial base provides the articulation point for the atlas or the first cervical vertebra, facial bones, and the mandible.
What part of the skull is the cranium?
The cranium—the part of the skull that encloses the brain—is sometimes called the braincase, but its intimate relation to the sense organs for sight, sound, smell, and taste and to other structures makes such a designation somewhat misleading.
What is considered the cranium?
The eight bones of the cranium form the “vault” that encloses the brain. They include the frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, sphenoid and ethmoid bones.
Does cranium mean head?
Your cranium is your skull, the hard bone of your head that protects your brain from injury. Take care of your cranium; it's your built-in helmet! A skull is made up of a cranium and a mandible, or jaw bone.
What is the difference between the skull and the cranium?
The cranium is part of the skull anatomy. The entire skull is made up of 22 bones, eight of which are cranial bones. The two main parts of the cranium are the cranial roof and the cranial base. Connected to the cranial bones are facial bones that give structure to the face and a place for the facial muscles to attach.
Where is the cranial located?
brainThe cranial nerves are all located on the underside of your brain inside your skull. They come in pairs, one on each side of the brain, and are numbered in Roman numerals I through XII.
What does cranial mean in anatomy?
Superior or cranial - toward the head end of the body; upper (example, the hand is part of the superior extremity). Inferior or caudal - away from the head; lower (example, the foot is part of the inferior extremity).
What is back of head called?
The occipital bone is a bone that covers the back of your head; an area called the occiput. The occipital bone is the only bone in your head that connects with your cervical spine (neck). The occipital bone surrounds a large opening known as the foramen magnum.
Which of the 8 cranial bones are paired?
There are two sets of paired cranial bones. The parietal bones and the temporal bones are both paired with one occurring on each side of the head.
How many cranial bones are there?
Humans have eight cranial bones. These start soft and fuse together, usually by the age of two, to form what feels like one large connected skull b...
What are the 8 cranial bones?
The eight cranial bones are the bones surrounding the brain. They include the frontal bone, parietal bones (2), temporal bones (2), occipital bone,...
Diagram of cranial bones
Explore the interactive 3-D diagram below to learn more about the cranial bones.
Cranial bone conditions
Several injuries and health conditions can impact your cranial bones, including fractures and congenital conditions.
Tips for healthy cranial bones
Your cranial bones are the main defense system for your brain, so it’s important to maintain their health by:
Frontal bone
The frontal bone makes up the front part of the skull. It is a flat bone that composes the forehead and top of the eye sockets. Remember, flat bones are thin and can have some curve to them. This bone is often associated with head and face shape.
Parietal bones
The parietal bones are found on either side just behind the frontal bone. They form the back and top part of the skull. They are a matched pair, one on the left side and one on the right side. They make up a part of the neurocranium. These are also considered flat bones.
Temporal bones
The temporal bones are found just under each of the parietal bones. It is often easier to think of them as above and behind the ears. They are a matched pair as well and they are considered irregular bones because of their shape.
What is the difference between the skull and the cranium?
In addition, the cranium is the part that covers the brain. The main difference between the skull and the cranium is their location in the head.
What is the function of the skull and cranium?
Their main function is to protect the brain. They also provide sites for the attachment of muscles responsible for the movement of the head, facial expressions, and chewing.
What is the difference between the cranial and facial bones?
Furthermore, the number of bones in the skull is 22, including 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones, while the number of bones in the cranium is 8.
What is the cranial base?
Cranial base – Made up of six bones; frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, occipital, parietal and temporal bones. The cranial base provides the articulation point for the atlas or the first cervical vertebra, facial bones, and the mandible. Figure 2: Human Skull Side View.
How many facial bones are there?
The fusing of the 14 individual facial bones houses oral and nasal cavities, the orbits of the eyes, and the hollow spaces called sinuses. The types of facial bones and their role in the skull are described in the table below.
How many bones are in the cranium?
These joints are immovable and they are completely fused together at the age of 20. Cranium and face are the two main parts of the skull. The cranium is composed of 8 bones while the face is made up of 14 bones. In addition, the ossicles of the ear and the hyoid bones are also considered as the bones of the skull.
What is the structure of the skull?
Skull is the protective structure of bones, which supports the face and hosts the brain. It is composed of several bones made up through intramembra nous ossification and joined together by fibrous joints called sutures. These joints are immovable and they are completely fused together at the age of 20.
Anatomy
Function
- The main function of the cranium is to protect the brain, which includes the cerebellum, cerebrum, and brain stem. It also gives a surface for the facial muscles to attach to.1The cranium isn't involved with any sort of movement or activity. The cranial nerves originate inside the cranium and exit through passages in the cranial bones. These nerves are essential to everyday functioni…
Associated Conditions
- There are a few categories of conditions associated with the cranium: craniofacial abnormalities, cranial tumors, and cranial fractures. Some craniofacial abnormalities result from the skull bones fusing together too soon or in an abnormal way during infancy. For example, craniosynostosis is a condition in which the sutures of a baby’s skull (where you feel the soft spots) close too early, ca…
Treatment
- Treatment of cranial injuries depends on the type of injury. For example, some craniofacial abnormalities can be corrected with surgery. A linear skull fracture, the most common type of skull fracture where the bone is broken but the bone does not move, usually doesn't require more intervention than brief observation in the hospital. As for hematomas caused by fractures, a sev…
Summary
- The cranium houses and protects the brain. In infancy, the eight cranial bones are not quite sewn together, which allows for brain growth. Once fused, they help keep the brain out of harm's way. The cranium can be affected by structural abnormalities, tumors, or traumatic injury.
A Word from Verywell
- The cranium is like a helmet for the brain. You can further protect your cranium and brain from traumatic injury by using safety equipment such as helmets, seat belts, and harnesses during sports, on the job, and while driving, riding, or taking transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does "cranium" also mean "head"?
Generally speaking, yes. The cranium refers to the cranial roof and base, which make up the top, sides, back, and bottom of the skull. The rest is made up of facial bones. - How many bones are in the skull?
There are 22 bones in the skull. Fourteen are facial bones and eight are cranial bones. The bones are connected by suture lines where they grow together.