Põhivasarakonts

Põhivasarakonts, which translates to "main brain cavity" or "primary cranial vault," refers to the uppermost and largest part of the skull in vertebrates. This bony structure encloses and protects the brain. It is composed of several fused bones, including the frontal bone, parietal bones, temporal bones, and occipital bone. The arrangement and fusion of these bones vary among different species and during different developmental stages.

In humans, the skull is divided into two main parts: the cranium (põhivasarakonts) and the facial skeleton. The põhivasarakonts is particularly crucial as it houses the highly sensitive and complex organ of the brain, safeguarding it from external trauma. The inner surface of the põhivasarakonts often bears impressions that correspond to the gyri and sulci of the brain, as well as the major blood vessels and cranial nerves. The size and shape of the põhivasarakonts are influenced by evolutionary pressures and can indicate phylogenetic relationships between species. Its development is a complex process involving intramembranous ossification and endochondral ossification.