The human skeleton represents the internal structure of the human body. At birth, it has about 270 bones. In adulthood, after certain bones have fused, the count reduces to about 206 bones. The human skeleton head is our skull. Except for the jaw, which is attached to the skull by the movable, synovial temporomandibular joints (TMJ), the skull is composed of various bones joined together at immobile joints called sutures.
The skull has several functions, including protecting the brain, regulating the distance between the eyes to permit stereo vision, and regulating the ear positions to facilitate sound localisation.
Table of Contents
- Human Skeleton Head (Skull) – Definition and Function
- Parts of the Human Skeleton Head
- Human Head Structure
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Human Skeleton Head (Skull) – Definition and Function
The bony component of the skeleton head in vertebrates is called the skull. It supports the anatomy of the face and provides a chamber that protects the brain. The other two components are the cranium or top of the skull and the mandible or lower part of the skull.
The highest vertebra in humans, the atlas, supports the skull and allows for nodding. The atlas pivots on the axis (next-lower vertebra) to enable side-to-side movement.
Functions of the Human Skeleton Head
The 22 bones that constitute the skull, or the cranium, can be divided into 14 facial bones and 8 cranial bones.
The primary function of the skull bones and meninges surrounding them is to give structure and protection. The skull protects the eye orbits and the brain (cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem). It offers a structural anchor for the tendons and muscles that adhere to the muscles in the face and scalp.
Parts of the Human Skeleton Head
The human skeleton head (skull) results from cephalisation and constitutes the frontmost part of the skeleton, which contains the brain, eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. The cranium and mandible comprise the two components of the skull. These two components in humans are the viscerocranium or face skeleton and the neurocranium.
The sutures, the neurocranium, and the facial skeleton (membraneous viscerocranium) are the three parts of the skull, each of which has distinct embryological origins. The protective cranial cavity that encloses and contains the brain and brainstem is formed by the neurocranium, also known as the braincase.
The sutures are rigid joints connecting bones of the neurocranium.
The bones that support the face constitute the facial skeleton.
Further Reading: What are the 22 Bones of The Skull
Human Head Structure
Although the human skeleton head, or the skull, looks like one massive bone, it is made up of several primary bones connected to one another. In addition, the newborn’s primary bones comprise one occipital bone, two frontal bones, and two parietal bones. These bony plates that protect the brain are joined by fibrous material known as sutures.
Sutures enable the bone to flex during childbirth. Additionally, the symmetrical shape of the head or skull results from the skull’s sutures.
Fontanelles represent the region between the skulls, wherein the skull’s sutures connect. They also have a rigid membrane, protecting the brain and other vital soft tissues.
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