Comprising 22 different bones along with a multitude of cartilage and ligaments, the human skull is a marvel of natural engineering. All the bones, with the exception of the mandible, are fused together.
22 Bones of The Skull - Anatomy & Structure
Last Updated on Jul 31, 2023
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Botany
Zoology
Biology In Everyday Life
Biology Photosynthesis
Biology Plant Nutrition
Biology Respiration In Plants
Biology Plant Tissues
Biology Plant Kingdom
Biology Plant Diseases
Biology Plant Morphology
Biology Sexual Reproduction In Plants
Biology Asexual Reproduction In Plants
Biology Scientific Names Binomial Nomenclature
Biology Biomolecules Organic and Inorganic
Biology Human Immune System
Biology Human Blood
Biology Human Blood Circulation
Biology Human Heart
Biology Human Brain Parts With Diagram
Biology Human Respiratory System
Exploring the Anatomy of Skull Bones
The skull's bones can be categorized into two primary groups:
- Cranial bones (8 in total)
- Facial bones (14 in total)
Enumerating the Cranial Bones
Here are the eight neurocranial bones:
- Ethmoid -1x
- Frontal -1x
- Occipital -1x
- Parietal -2x
- Sphenoid-1x
- Temporal -2x
Enumerating the Facial Bones
Here are the 14 facial bones:
- Inferior nasal concha -2x
- Lacrimal -2x
- Mandible -1x
- Maxilla -2x
- Nasal -2x
- Palatine -2x
- Vomer -1x
- Zygomatic -2x
Extra Information:
Including the auditory ossicles (the bones in the ears) brings the total number of bones in the skull to 28:
Enumerating the Ear Bones (Auditory Ossicles)
Here are the six bones in the ear:
Incus -2x
Malleus -2x
Stapes -2x
For more information on skull bone anatomy or related topics, please register at our Biology section.
Recommended Reading: Skeletal System – Anatomy & Physiology of Human Skeletal System
You might also be interested in:
- What is the musculoskeletal system?
- What is the appendicular skeleton system?
- How many bones are there in the human skeleton?
More Articles for Biology
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main segments of skull bones?
The bones of the skull can be divided into 2 main segments: Cranial bones and Facial skeletal bones.
What are the cranial bones of the skull?
The cranial bones of the skull include Ethmoid, Frontal, Occipital, Parietal, Sphenoid, and Temporal.
What are the facial bones of the skull?
The facial bones of the skull include Inferior nasal concha, Lacrimal, Mandible, Maxilla, Nasal, Palatine, Vomer, and Zygomatic.
What is the total number of bones in the skull if auditory ossicles are also included?
If the auditory ossicles (bones in the ears) are also included, then the number of bones in the skull is 28.
Test Series
133.8k Students
NCERT XI-XII Physics Foundation Pack Mock Test
323 TOTAL TESTS
| 3 Free Tests
- 3 Live Test
- 163 Class XI Chapter Tests
- 157 Class XII Chapter Tests