The cranium of the human body is the hard part of the head. The cranium and the mandible, or jaw bone, together comprise the skull. In some species, the skull is also structured so that horns are connected to the face for protection.
The primary function of the cranium is to provide protection to the brain from any potential injury. The brain is the most delicate organ and has to be protected from any external stress.
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Cranial Bones
The skull bones can be subdivided into the facial bones, constituting the face and the cranial bones, which make up our cranium.
The cranium has two different types of bones:
Flat bones: These bones are flat and thin in shape, yet a few of them have a slight bend.
Irregular bones: These are complex-shaped bones that do not fall under any other categories.
Sutures, joints consisting of dense connective tissue, hold the cranium bones together. Due to their irregular shape, they can securely connect all the cranial bones together. Our brain continues to develop throughout childhood and adolescence because the sutures do not merge until adulthood.
Further Reading: What are the 22 Bones of The Skull
Cranium Functions
The primary function of the cranium is protecting the brain, which consists of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. It also provides a surface for the muscles of the face to adhere to. The cranium does not move or perform any other activities.
The cranium is responsible for creating the anterior portion of the skeleton and the different sensory organs located beneath some of the facial bones.
The frontal bone, two temporal bones, sphenoid bone, two parietal bones and the occipital bone comprise most of the cranium.
The cranium is the head’s skeletal framework and supports the face’s structure. It protects our brain from external injury.
The cranial nerves emanate from the cranium through openings in the cranial bones. These nerves are necessary for daily activities like seeing, smelling, and eating. For instance, the hypoglossal nerve regulates the tongue’s movements so that we can talk and chew.
Related Links:
- Functions Of Human Skeletal System
- Facts about Skeletal System
- Skull bones – Facial and Cranial Bones
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