Cráneo

Cráneo is the Spanish word for skull. The skull is a bony structure that forms the head in vertebrates. It supports the structures of the face and forms a protective cavity for the brain. The skull is composed of two main parts: the cranium and the mandible.

The cranium is the part of the skull that encloses the brain. It is made up of several bones that are fused together. In humans, the cranium consists of the frontal bone, two parietal bones, two temporal bones, the occipital bone, the sphenoid bone, and the ethmoid bone. These bones protect the brain from injury and provide attachment points for the muscles of the head and neck.

The mandible, or jawbone, is the lower part of the skull. It is a single bone that is hinged to the temporal bones, allowing for movement for chewing and speaking.

The skull plays a vital role in sensory perception. It houses the organs of sight (eyes), hearing (ears), smell (nasal cavity), and taste (tongue). The shape and structure of the skull are also important for facial recognition and expression.

In paleontology and anthropology, the study of skulls is crucial for understanding the evolution of species, including humans. The analysis of fossilized skulls can reveal information about diet, lifestyle, and the development of intelligence. The term "cráneo" is used in scientific and medical contexts in Spanish-speaking countries when referring to this anatomical structure.