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3D OSTEOLOGY
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PARIETAL BONE ANATOMY

Author: Dr. Bogdan Leahu
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Parietal bone anatomy 360-degree interactive viewer showing articulations with frontal, occipital, temporal, and opposite parietal bones at cranial sutures
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • Paired flat bones of the cranium
  • Located on superolateral aspect of skull
  • Form substantial portion of cranial vault
    • Contribute to sides of skull
    • Contribute to roof of skull
  • Provide protection for underlying brain
  • Articulations:
    • Frontal bone — anteriorly
    • Occipital bone — posteriorly
    • Temporal bone — inferiorly
    • Opposite parietal bone — medially at sagittal suture

EXTERNAL SURFACE

External surface of parietal bone 360-degree viewer showing parietal eminence, superior and inferior temporal lines, parietal foramen, and scalp foundation
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External Surface of the Parietal Bone, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.

  • Smooth convex contour
  • Forms structural foundation beneath scalp

Parietal Eminence

  • Prominent convex region
  • Located near center of bone
  • Also termed parietal tuber
  • Contributes to rounded skull contour

Temporal Lines

  • Superior Temporal Line — curved ridge
    • Arches across external surface
    • Attachment site for temporal fascia
  • Inferior Temporal Line — curved ridge
    • Runs parallel below superior line
    • Attachment site for temporalis muscle
    • Temporalis involved in mastication

Parietal Foramen

  • Small aperture
  • Located near sagittal border
  • Variable in size
  • Transmits emissary vein

INTERNAL SURFACE

Internal surface of parietal bone 360-degree viewer showing groove for middle meningeal artery, arachnoid granulation impressions, and cerebral gyri impressions
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Internal Surface of the Parietal Bone, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.

  • Contains grooves and depressions
  • Accommodates brain structures and meninges

Groove for Middle Meningeal Artery

  • Prominent channel
  • Allows artery passage across inner bone surface
  • Middle meningeal artery supplies dura mater
  • Dura mater is outermost meningeal layer

Additional Surface Markings

  • Impressions from arachnoid granulations
  • Impressions from cerebral gyri

BORDERS AND SUTURES

Parietal bone borders and angles 360-degree viewer showing sagittal, frontal, occipital, and squamosal borders forming cranial sutures
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Borders and Angles of the Parietal Bone, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.

Sagittal Border

  • Longest border
  • Connects with opposite parietal bone
  • Forms sagittal suture

Frontal Border

  • Anterior border
  • Articulates with frontal bone
  • Forms coronal suture

Occipital Border

  • Posterior border
  • Articulates with occipital bone
  • Forms lambdoid suture

Squamosal Border

  • Inferior border
  • Anterior portion articulates with greater wing of sphenoid
  • Central portion articulates with squamous part of temporal bone
  • Posterior portion articulates with mastoid part of temporal bone

ANGLES

  • Four angles at border junctions

Frontal Angle

  • Anterosuperior corner
  • Located at intersection of sagittal and coronal sutures

Occipital Angle

  • Posterosuperior corner
  • Located at junction of sagittal and lambdoid sutures

Sphenoidal Angle

  • Anteroinferior corner
  • Where bone meets frontal bone
  • Where bone meets greater wing of sphenoid

Mastoid Angle

  • Posteroinferior corner
  • Articulates with occipital bone
  • Articulates with mastoid portion of temporal bone

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Henry G, Warren HL. Osteology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918. p. 129–97.

QUICK FACTS: PARIETAL BONE

Key questions answered about this anatomy topic

Q: Where is the parietal bone located?

Answer: On the superolateral aspect of the skull, forming the cranial vault. The parietal bones are located on the superolateral aspect of the skull. They form a substantial portion of the cranial vault (calvaria), creating the roof and sides of the cranium.

Q: What is the parietal bone?

Answer: A paired flat bone forming the roof and sides of the skull. The parietal bone is a paired flat bone of the cranium that forms the roof and sides of the skull. The two parietal bones meet at the midline sagittal suture and contribute significantly to the cranial vault.

Q: How many parietal bones are there in the skull?

Answer: Two (paired). There are two parietal bones in the skull - one on each side. They are paired bones that meet at the midline to form the sagittal suture.

Q: What is the function of the parietal bone?

Answer: To protect the brain and form the cranial vault. The primary function of the parietal bones is to protect the brain. They form a substantial portion of the cranial vault, providing structural support and protection to the cerebral hemispheres.

Q: Is the parietal bone a flat bone?

Answer: Yes, it is classified as a flat bone. Yes, the parietal bone is classified as a flat bone. Flat bones like the parietal bone consist of two layers of compact bone with cancellous bone (diploë) between them, providing protection while being relatively lightweight.

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