22 Vital Bones of the Skull

The human skull is a fascinating structure that protects the brain, anchors important muscles, and houses critical sense organs. Often, students wonder how many bones in the cranium they have or want to discover detailed skull bone names. In total, the skull consists of 22 bones (excluding the 6 tiny ear bones), which can be classified into 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones. This guide presents each group of bones clearly, highlights the 7 functions of the skull, and includes extra learning resources to make your study more interactive and comprehensive.

The Skull at a Glance

• Total Bones: 22 bones (without ear ossicles), firmly joined together except for the mandible (lower jaw).

• Ear Bones (Auditory Ossicles): Additional 6 bones (2 each of the malleus, incus, and stapes) often listed separately.

• Cartilage & Ligaments: Present to connect and support various structures of the skull.

The 8 Cranial Bones

There are the 8 cranial bones (neurocranium) that form the vault protecting our most vital organ:

1. Frontal (1): Forms the forehead and the roof of the eye sockets.

2. Parietal (2): Located on the sides and top of the skull. Joined together along the sagittal suture.

3. Temporal (2): Found beneath the parietal bones, each temporal bone supports the structures of the ear and has the mastoid process.

4. Occipital (1): Sits at the back and base of the skull, containing the foramen magnum (large opening) through which the spinal cord passes.

5. Sphenoid (1): A butterfly-shaped bone at the base of the skull, bridges the cranial and facial regions.

6. Ethmoid (1): A spongy bone located between the eyes, forming part of the nasal cavity and the orbits (eye sockets).

Collectively, these skull bones protect the brain, house some sense organs, and anchor muscles related to the head and neck.

The 14 Facial Bones

The facial bones form the front framework of your skull, supporting your facial structures, teeth, and cavities. These include:

1. Maxilla (2): Upper jaw bones. Each maxilla also forms part of the nose and eye sockets.

2. Mandible (1): The only moveable skull bone, forming the lower jaw used for chewing and speaking.

3. Nasal (2): Small rectangular bones form the bridge of the nose.

4. Lacrimal (2): Tiny, delicate bones located in the inner corner of each orbit, helping form the tear ducts.

5. Zygomatic (2): Cheekbones, contributing to the orbits’ shape and facial contour.

6. Palatine (2):L-shaped bones forming the posterior part of the hard palate and nasal cavity.

7. Inferior Nasal Concha (2): Curved bones within the nasal cavity, aiding airflow and filtration.

8. Vomer (1):A thin, flat bone forming the lower portion of the nasal septum.

These facial bones help shape your features, support muscles for expression and hold your teeth in place.

Ear Ossicles (Not Counted in the Main 22)

Although they are not included in the main 22 skull bones, the ear contains three paired auditory ossicles, crucial for hearing:

1. Malleus (2)

2. Incus (2)

3. Stapes (2)

If you include these 6 tiny bones in your total, the skull count goes up to 28.

Also, read Human Skeletal System

7 Function of the Skull

The skull is not just a rigid box; it performs a variety of essential functions. Here are the 7 function of the skull to help you understand its significance:

1. Protection of the Brain – Safeguards the delicate nervous tissues.

2. Supports Sense Organs – Houses organs for sight, smell, hearing, and balance.

3. Enables Facial Expressions – Provides attachment points for muscles that shape our facial expressions.

4. Facilitates Chewing & Speech – The mandible and maxilla help with mastication and articulate speech.

5. Maintains Facial Structure – Defines the unique contours of the face.

6. Assists in Breathing – Forms passages for air intake through the nasal cavity.

7. Attachment for Head & Neck Muscles – Allows movement of the head and support for posture.

Sutures and Growth

• Skull Sutures: The cranial bones are joined by fibrous joints called sutures (e.g., coronal, sagittal, lambdoid), which fuse over time.

• Fontanelles: In infants, the skull bones are not fully fused, leaving soft spots called fontanelles that allow the skull to expand as the brain grows.

Fun Task: Map Your Own Skull

1. Mirror Activity: Stand in front of a mirror and gently touch the bony landmarks on your face and head (forehead, cheekbones, jaw hinge).

2. Label It: Try labelling these regions on a printed skull diagram (download one from Vedantu’s Anatomy Resources) and identify which bones are cranial vs facial bones.

This simple activity helps you connect what you learn in theory to the actual contours of your own skull!

Quick Quiz: Test Your Understanding

1. Question 1: How many bones form the cranium portion of the skull?

2. Question 2: Which is the only movable bone in the skull?

3. Question 3: Name any two bones that help form the nasal septum.

4. Question 4: What are the small bones of the ear called collectively?

5. Question 5: Give one function of the sphenoid bone.

Check Your Answers

1. 8 cranial bones

2. Mandible

3. Ethmoid and Vomer

4. Auditory ossicles (Malleus, Incus, Stapes)

5. It provides a central base, articulating with multiple cranial and facial bones, contributing to the orbits and nasal cavity