höfuðkúpan

Hofuðkúpan is the Icelandic word for skull. The skull is a bony structure that forms the head in vertebrates. It is the most complex bone structure in the body, consisting of 22 bones in humans, divided into the cranium and the mandible. The cranium, or braincase, encloses and protects the brain. The facial bones form the structure of the face.

The skull serves several vital functions. It protects the brain from injury, provides attachment points for facial muscles, and houses sensory organs such as the eyes, ears, nose, and tongue. The skull's development begins before birth and continues throughout childhood and adolescence, with bones fusing over time.

In Iceland, the term höfuðkúpan is commonly used in anatomical and medical contexts. It is a fundamental part of understanding human and animal anatomy. The study of skulls, or craniology, can provide insights into evolution, disease, and even individual identification. Forensic anthropologists often analyze skulls to determine age, sex, and cause of death.