Parts of the skull
The human skull consists of two main parts:
The neurocranium encloses the brain (including the cerebral hemispheres and brainstem) and sensory organs connected to the brain. The neurocranium can be further divided into the calvaria and cranial base.
- The calvaria, also called the skullcap, is the upper domed part that covers the cranial cavity. It is robust and covers and protects the brain. The calvaria is formed mainly by the paired parietal and unpaired frontal and occipital bones joined together by sutures.
- The cranial base is formed mainly by the sphenoid, temporal and occipital bones, as well as by the ethmoid and frontal bones.
The viscerocranium is the part of the skull situated anteriorly from the neurocranium. It forms the facial skeleton and supports the soft tissue of the face.