neurocrâne

The neurocranium, also known as the braincase or cranial vault, is the part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain. It is composed of eight bones in the adult human skull: the frontal bone, two parietal bones, the occipital bone, the sphenoid bone, the ethmoid bone, and the two temporal bones. In infants, these bones are separated by fibrous sutures and fontanelles, which allow for brain growth and passage through the birth canal. These sutures ossify and fuse over time.

The neurocranium's primary function is to safeguard the delicate neural tissue of the brain from external trauma. Its inner surface is molded by the convolutions of the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and brainstem. The base of the neurocranium, known as the cranial base, contains various foramina and canals that allow for the passage of cranial nerves and blood vessels.

The shape and size of the neurocranium can vary between individuals and species, influenced by genetic factors, environmental influences, and evolutionary pressures. Abnormal development of the neurocranium can lead to various conditions, including craniosynostosis, where sutures fuse prematurely, and microcephaly or macrocephaly, characterized by an unusually small or large head size, respectively. The study of the neurocranium is important in fields such as anatomy, paleontology, anthropology, and forensic science.