Description
The bones of neurocranium (brain box) is one of the two groups of bones of the cranium, the other group being the bones of viscerocranium. Eight bones contribute to the formation of the neurocranium:
- two paired bones (temporal and parietal bones);
- four singular bones (frontal, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones).
The cribriform plate is the only portion of the ethmoid bone that contributes to the formation of the neurocranium, the rest of the bone contributes to the formation of the viscerocranium.
The cranial cavity is the space found within the neurocranium. The dome-like roof of the neurocranium is known as the calvaria, while its floor is known as the cranial base. The calvaria is formed mostly by the flat bones of the skull, namely the parietal, frontal, and occipital bones. The squamous part of temporal bone and greater wing of sphenoid bone also contribute. The cranial base (basicranium) is formed mostly by irregular bones, namely the temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
Overall, the bones of neurocranium:
- provide the skeletal framework for the cranial and orbital cavities;
- provide protection to the brain;
- provide attachment sites to muscles of the head and neck regions.
