What is the Difference Between Skull and Cranium?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The skull and cranium are two important skeletal parts that protect the brain and support other soft tissues. They have distinct structures and functions:
- Skull: The skull is the entire bony framework of the head, including the lower jaw. It is composed of 22 bones, divided into four types: cranial bones, facial bones, ear ossicles, and the hyoid bone. The skull serves to protect the brain, provide a surface for muscle attachments, and hold sensory organs for vision, hearing, and other functions.
- Cranium: The cranium is a subdivision of the skull that consists of 8 bones, which enclose the brain. These bones include the ethmoid, frontal, occipital, parietal (2), sphenoid, and temporal (2). The main role of the cranium is to protect the brain, and it is a part of the skull.
In summary, the skull is the complete bony structure of the head, while the cranium is a specific subdivision of the skull that encloses and protects the brain.
Comparative Table: Skull vs Cranium
The skull and cranium are two distinct parts of the skeletal structure of the head. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:
| Feature | Skull | Cranium |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The skull refers to the bones of the head collectively. | The cranium is the bony portion of the skull that holds the brain. |
| Number of Bones | The skull consists of 22 bones, including 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones. | The cranium consists of 8 bones called cranial bones. |
| Function | The skull protects the brain, provides a surface for muscle attachments, and holds sensory organs for vision, hearing, taste, smell, and equilibrium. | The cranium protects the brain and supports other soft tissues of the head. |
| Bones Involved | The skull includes cranial bones (ethmoid, frontal, occipital, parietal, sphenoid, and temporal) and facial bones. | The cranium includes only the cranial bones (ethmoid, frontal, occipital, parietal, sphenoid, and temporal). |
In summary, the skull is the broader term that encompasses all the bones of the head, while the cranium is a specific part of the skull that holds and protects the brain.
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