skull
Sign in to saveThe skull, or cranium, is typically a bony enclosure around the brain of a vertebrate. In some fish and amphibians, the skull is of cartilage. The skull is at the head end of the vertebrate.
AI overview
The skull, also called the cranium, is a bony structure that encloses and protects the brain in vertebrates, though in some fish and amphibians it may be made of cartilage instead. Located at the head end of the body, the skull serves as a protective case for this vital organ.
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Key facts
- Anatomy.Name
- Skull
- Anatomy.System
- Skeletal system
- Anatomy.image
- VolRenderShearWarp.gif
- Anatomy.Caption
- Volume rendering of a mouse skull
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
26 sectionsContents
- Structure
- Humans{{anchor|Structure_of_human_skull}}
- Bones
- Cavities and foramina
- Processes
- Other vertebrates
- Fenestrae
- Bones
- Fish
- Tetrapods
- Birds
- Amphibians
- Development
- Clinical significance
- Injuries and treatment
- Transgender procedures
- Society and culture
- Osteology
- Sexual dimorphism
- Craniometry
- Terminology
- History
- Additional images
- See also
- References
- External links
The skull, or cranium, is typically a bony enclosure around the brain of a vertebrate. In some fish and amphibians, the skull is of cartilage. The skull is at the head end of the vertebrate.
In a human, the skull comprises two prominent parts: the neurocranium and the facial skeleton, which evolved from the first pharyngeal arch. The skull forms the frontmost portion of the axial skeleton and is a product of cephalization and vesicular enlargement of the brain, with several special senses structures such as the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and, in fish, specialized tactile organs such as barbels near the mouth.