Neurocranium

The cranium, also known as the bony skull, can be divided into two groups of bones. The bones surrounding the brain are called the neurocranium (which form the cranial cavity), while the bones of skull contributing to the facial skeleton are known as the viscerocranium. These skull bones are connected through special joints called sutures.

The neurocranium consists of the calvaria and the skull base. The calvaria (i.e. the skull cap) is the domed roof of the cranial cavity. The skull base makes up the floor of the cranial cavity, internally. The same skull base has notable features for the attachment of muscles and ligaments when viewed from below, externally.

The neurocranium is made up of several bones, some of which are paired and others are unpaired. Paired bones include parietal, temporal, and the middle ear ossicles such as the malleus, incus, and stapes. Unpaired bones include the frontal, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.