The human skull contains 22 bones. This total is comprised of 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones. All bones, except for the mandible (jawbone), are fused together.
Cranial Bones vs. Facial Bones
The distinction between cranial and facial bones is crucial for understanding the skull's structure and function:
-
Cranial Bones (8): These bones form the protective enclosure for the brain. They include the frontal, parietal (2), temporal (2), occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
-
Facial Bones (14): These bones contribute to the face's structure, including the eye sockets, nasal cavity, and mouth. Examples include the nasal bones (2), zygomatic bones (2), maxilla (2), mandible, and vomer.
While various sources may offer slightly different numbers due to variations in counting certain fused structures, the most commonly accepted number remains 22.
The following resources confirm this information:
- Physiopedia: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Skull states: "The skull (also known as cranium) consists of 22 bones which can be subdivided into 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones."
- Byjus.com: https://byjus.com/biology/what-are-the-22-bones-of-the-skull/ mentions: "The skull is made up of 22 bones as well as a plethora of cartilage and ligaments."
- Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22344-axial-skeleton indicates: "Your skull has two sets of bones: Eight cranial bones and 14 facial bones."
