The Skull
The purpose of the bony skull is to protect the brain from injury. The skull is formed from eight bones that fuse together along suture lines and the face is formed from fourteen paired bones.
Inside the skull are three distinct areas:
All the arteries, veins and nerves exit the base of the skull through holes, called Foramina. The largest hole in the center is where the Spinal Cord exits.
The Cranial Nerves
The brain communicates with the body through the spinal cord and twelve pairs of cranial nerves, whichoriginate in the brainstem. Ten of which control hearing, eye movement, facial sensations, taste, swallowing and movement of the face, neck, shoulder and tongue.