Skull

anatomy · protection · bones

Protects your brain. Your skull is like a hard helmet made of bone that keeps your brain safe from bumps and injuries. Without it, your brain would be way too vulnerable.

Made of many bones. Your skull is actually made up of about 22 bones that fit together like a 3D puzzle. Some of these bones are so small you'd need a magnifying glass to see all their details.

Not always bone. In fish and some amphibians, the skull is made of cartilage instead of hard bone. Cartilage is the same flexible material that gives your ears and nose their shape.

Holds your face. Your skull doesn't just protect your brain, it also gives your face its shape and provides places for your eyes, nose, and teeth to attach.

Joined together. The bones in your skull are held together by lines called sutures that look a little like the stitching on a baseball. These connections are very strong and help your skull stay intact.