Calvaria

Definition

The calvaria, also known as the skullcap, is the upper part of the skull that encloses the brain, made up of the frontal, parietal, and occipital bones. It excludes the facial bones and mandible.

Related terms

Sutures:

Fibrous joints connecting the bones of the skull, allowing for growth during infancy and rigidity in adulthood.

Frontal Bone:

A bone of the skull forming the forehead and upper parts of the orbits (eye sockets).

Occipital Bone:

The bone forming the back and base of the skull, containing a large opening (foramen magnum) through which the spinal cord passes