What is the neurocranium?

The neurocranium (cranial vault or braincase) is the part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain. It consists of eight bones: the frontal, two parietal, two temporal, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones. It forms the calvaria (skull cap) superiorly and the cranial base inferiorly.

What is the viscerocranium?

The viscerocranium (facial skeleton) is the part of the skull forming the face. It consists of 14 bones that support the facial soft tissues, protect the orbits and nasal cavity, and provide attachment for muscles of facial expression and mastication. The mandible is the only movable skull bone.

Cranium

CONTENTS

Quick Answer: The adult human skull consists of 22 bones: 8 cranial bones forming the neurocranium (frontal, 2 parietal, 2 temporal, occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid) and 14 facial bones forming the viscerocranium (2 maxillae, mandible, 2 zygomatic, 2 nasal, 2 lacrimal, 2 palatine, 2 inferior nasal conchae, vomer).

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Cranium

Occipital Bone

Frontal Bone

Temporal Bone

Parietal Bone

Sphenoid Bone

Ethmoid Bone

Maxilla

Zygomatic Bone

Lacrimal Bone

Palatine Bone

Inferior Nasal Concha Bone

Vomer Bone

Nasal Bone

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