What Is the Skull Made Of?
The skull, also known as the cranium, is the group of bones that forms the head. While many people think of the skull as a single structure, it’s actually made up of 22 bones that include the bones structuring the top and back of the head, as well as the separate bones that form the framework of the face.
The skull protects the delicate organs that reside inside the head. In addition, the skull supports the face and facial movements. The skull is one of the first structures to develop in an embryo. It continues to grow and change, though, throughout gestation and infancy.
What Is the Purpose of the Skull?
All the various skull bone parts come together to serve two major purposes. First, the skull surrounds and protects the brain, brainstem, and eyes. In addition, the skull provides the structure for the muscles, blood vessels, and connective tissue that make up the face and scalp. These soft tissue structures are crucial to functions like swallowing, breathing, and seeing.
The skull is one of the first structures to form during embryonic development. The components of the skull form during the first eight weeks of gestation, alongside the early development of the nervous system. During the remainder of gestation, the bones take on the characteristic shape of the human skull.
Skull Anatomy
Neurocranium: The neurocranium is the portion of the skull that covers the brain. This is made up of bony plates with juncture points known as sutures. The sutures remain soft and flexible after birth to allow adjustment during continued brain growth. These soft spots are known as fontanelles, and they close gradually during infancy. The sutures remain somewhat flexible into early adulthood, though, to accommodate further growth before fusing completely.
The top of the skull consists of several bones, which consist of the frontal bone, parietal bones, temporal bones, and occipital bone. These bones form the protective layer over the top and rear of the brain. In the back, they form the bony channel for the brainstem and spinal cord and connect with the spine. The frontal bone forms the forehead and helps to support and protect the eyes.
Viscerocranium: The viscerocranium is the front portion of the skull and makes up the face. The viscerocranium contains 14 facial bones: two nasal conchae, two nasal bones, two maxilla bones, two palatine bones, two lacrimal bones, two zygomatic bones, the mandible, and the vomer. These bones give the face its shape and structure. They serve to protect the sinuses and eyes, additionally creating the support structure for the mouth. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that connects the upper and lower jaw bones is crucial for chewing and eating.
Where Is the Skull Located?
The skull is the topmost section of the human skeleton. It is on top of the spinal column and makes up the underlying structure of the head. It connects to the bones of the spine at the neck.
The spine’s primary role is protecting the brain and brainstem. Those two organs are the principal structures in the neurological system. The bones of the skull prevent injury to the delicate tissue of nerves and the brain. In addition, the skull supports the muscle and nerve framework for the face. The skull bones allow passage of the nasal sinuses, which are intrinsic to breathing. The skull protects the eyes and the inner structure of the ears to promote the senses of vision and hearing.
Signs Something Could Be Wrong with Your Skull
Injuries to the head and skull can be very serious. Mild injuries such as bumps or cuts may heal without significant health effects, but other head injuries cause headaches, dizziness, pain, vision problems, or loss of consciousness. You should see a doctor if you have sustained a head injury. You may need a skull x-ray to diagnose any problems.
Concussion: A concussion is a trauma to the head that affects how the brain functions afterward. In the case of a concussion, the brain moves inside the skull, which harms the brain tissue. The injury may cause headaches, memory problems, difficulty thinking or concentrating dizziness, and mood changes. If you suspect a concussion, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Skull fracture: Any break in the skull bones is considered a skull fracture. Skull fractures are usually the result of an accident or injury. They can vary in terms of how serious they are. Some fractures are mild and don’t displace the skull bones or damage the brain. Other fractures can cause significant bone and tissue damage. Seek medical help immediately if you have been injured and think you have a skull fracture.
Intracranial hematoma: Blood clots that form inside the skull range from mild to life-threatening. Head injuries can cause bleeding inside the skull, which can result in these blood clots. Clots and the associated injuries can lead to significant brain damage, stroke, or death. Seek immediate medical attention if you have sustained a head injury that may have caused internal bleeding.
Tumors: You can develop tumors, abnormal growths inside the skull. These can be cancerous or benign. It is important to talk to a doctor if you suspect you have a tumor. Prompt treatment is often the best option for successful treatment. Symptoms of a tumor in the skull include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Changes in your vision, such as double vision, blurriness, or loss of vision
- Hearing loss
- Seizures
- Behavioral or personality changes
- Memory problems
- Muscle weakness or paralysis
What Conditions Affect the Skull?
Some congenital conditions lead to skull deformities. Certain genetic conditions, such as trisomy disorders, are marked by unusual skull shape or size, so an unusual appearance of the skull can be a sign that a baby has such an underlying genetic condition.
Skull abnormalities can then lead to facial differences. A cleft palate is a common but usually treatable skull abnormality. More significant issues include conditions such as Treacher-Collins syndrome, which leads to significant differences in facial development before birth.
Craniosynostosis is a condition where the sutures of the skull close too soon. This can lead to unusual skull shaping as the baby’s brain grows and pushes against the bones of the skull. Surgery can often be used to treat craniosynostosis.
How Can You Keep the Skull Healthy?
It is important to protect your skull from any injury that can lead to brain damage. Wearing protective headgear during sports or during hazardous work will help protect your head against injury. Vehicular accidents are another common cause of head injuries, so wearing a seatbelt and obeying traffic rules can help prevent skull injuries on the road.
If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with a skull injury, call your doctor as soon as possible.