Skull

The bony or cartilaginous structure that encloses and protects the brain and supports the jaws and sensory organs.

Cranium: The part of the skull that encloses the brain. It forms the skull’s braincase, distinct from the facial skeleton.
Cranial cavity: The space within the cranium that contains the brain and its coverings. It is the protected compartment formed by the braincase.
Vertebrate: An animal with a vertebral column or an embryonic precursor to one. The skull is a defining anatomical structure across vertebrate lineages.
Craniosynostosis: Premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures during infancy or childhood. Restricted skull growth can alter head shape and, in some cases, raise pressure around the brain.
Anapsid: A traditional classification for amniotes whose skulls lack temporal openings behind the eye sockets. It contrasts with skulls bearing temporal openings, though modern classifications treat the group cautiously.
Facial skeleton: The bones that form the face and support the jaws, eyes, and nasal passages. It supplies the skull’s facial structure and much of its support for feeding.
Foramen magnum: The large opening at the skull’s base through which the brainstem continues as the spinal cord. It connects the cranial cavity with the vertebral canal.
Dermal bone: Bone formed directly within connective tissue rather than replacing a cartilage model. Many skull-roof bones arise this way, unlike much of the skull base.
Skull fracture: A break in one or more bones of the skull, usually caused by trauma. Fracture patterns help clinicians assess injury and possible damage to the brain.
Synapsid: An amniote lineage characterized by a single temporal opening on each side of the skull. Its temporal openings distinguish the lineage that includes mammals from other major amniote branches.

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