Skull Vault

Definition

The skull vault, also known as the cranial vault or calvaria, refers to the upper, dome-like portion of the skull that encloses and protects the brain. It is a key component of the axial skeleton that develops during embryonic growth and formation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The skull vault is composed of several flat, irregularly shaped bones, including the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital bones.
2. During embryonic development, the bones of the skull vault form from mesenchymal tissue through the process of intramembranous ossification.
3. The skull vault expands and changes shape as the brain grows, with the sutures allowing for this growth and flexibility.
4. Fontanels, the soft spots on an infant's head, are located at the junctions of the skull vault bones and close as the bones fuse during early childhood.
5. Proper development and closure of the skull vault is crucial for protecting the delicate brain tissue and facilitating normal brain growth and function.

Review Questions

• Describe the composition and structure of the skull vault.
  • The skull vault, or cranial vault, is the upper, dome-like portion of the skull that encloses and protects the brain. It is composed of several flat, irregularly shaped bones, including the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital bones. These bones are connected by fibrous joints called sutures, which allow the skull vault to expand and change shape as the brain grows during development.
• Explain the embryonic development of the skull vault and its role in brain growth.
  • The bones of the skull vault form from mesenchymal tissue through the process of intramembranous ossification during embryonic development. As the brain grows, the skull vault expands and changes shape, with the sutures allowing for this flexibility and growth. The fontanels, or soft spots, located at the junctions of the skull vault bones, also play a crucial role in this process, closing as the bones fuse during early childhood. The proper development and closure of the skull vault is essential for protecting the delicate brain tissue and facilitating normal brain growth and function.
• Analyze the importance of the skull vault in the overall structure and function of the axial skeleton.
  • The skull vault is a critical component of the axial skeleton, as it not only protects the brain but also plays a vital role in the development and growth of the cranium. The bones of the skull vault form through intramembranous ossification, and their expansion and fusion, facilitated by the sutures and fontanels, allow the skull to accommodate the growing brain. This dynamic process is essential for the proper development and function of the nervous system. Furthermore, the skull vault, as part of the axial skeleton, provides attachment points for numerous muscles and ligaments, contributing to the overall structure and biomechanics of the head and neck region. The skull vault's embryonic development and its integration with the rest of the axial skeleton highlight its importance in the body's overall skeletal system.

Related terms

Cranium: The cranium is the bony structure that forms the skull and protects the brain. It includes the skull vault as well as the facial bones.

Fontanels: Fontanels are the soft, membranous gaps between the bones of the skull vault in an infant, which allow the skull to change shape during childbirth and early development.

Sutures: Sutures are the fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull vault, enabling growth and development of the cranium.