Cranial vault

Cranial vault is the space within the skull that encloses the brain. It is also known as the calvaria or skull cap. The cranial vault is made up of the flat bones of the skull, which include the frontal bone, parietal bones, temporal bones, and occipital bone. These bones are connected by sutures, which are fibrous joints that allow for growth and development of the brain and skull during infancy and childhood.

Etymology

The term "cranial vault" is derived from the Latin words "cranium" meaning "skull" and "vault" meaning "arched form". The term "calvaria" is derived from the Latin word "calva" meaning "bald head".

Anatomy

The cranial vault is composed of the frontal bone, two parietal bones, two temporal bones, and the occipital bone. These bones form the top, sides, and back of the skull. The base of the skull, which supports the brain, is not part of the cranial vault.

The bones of the cranial vault are connected by sutures. These include the coronal suture, which connects the frontal bone to the parietal bones; the sagittal suture, which connects the two parietal bones together; and the lambdoid suture, which connects the parietal bones to the occipital bone.

Development

The bones of the cranial vault begin to develop during the second month of embryonic development. They originate from the neural crest cells, which are a group of cells that migrate from the neural tube during embryogenesis.

During infancy and childhood, the sutures of the cranial vault remain open to allow for growth and development of the brain and skull. These sutures gradually close as the individual matures, with complete closure typically occurring by early adulthood.

Clinical significance

Conditions that affect the cranial vault include craniosynostosis, which is the premature fusion of the sutures; cranial vault remodeling, which is a surgical procedure to correct abnormal head shapes; and cranial vault fracture, which is a break in one or more of the bones of the cranial vault.

See also

• Cranium
• Skull
• Suture (anatomy)

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  Anatomical illustration of the cranial vault
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  Photograph of a crow skull