The brain itself doesn't contain any bones. The brain is a soft organ protected by the bony skull, which consists of 22 bones.
Understanding the Cranium
The skull, or cranium, serves as the protective housing for the brain. These bones are divided into two main sets:
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Cranial Bones: These eight bones directly surround and protect the brain.
- Frontal bone
- Parietal bones (2)
- Temporal bones (2)
- Occipital bone
- Sphenoid bone
- Ethmoid bone
-
Facial Bones: These 14 bones form the structure of the face. While not directly enclosing the brain, they contribute to the overall structure of the skull.
These bones are connected by sutures, which are fibrous joints that fuse together during development to create a solid protective structure.
Therefore, while the brain sits inside the skull (which is made up of 22 bones), the brain itself contains no bones.
