How many bones make up the human skull?

The human skull is composed of 22 bones. These bones can be categorized into two main groups: the cranial bones and the facial bones. The cranial bones, which protect the brain, consist of eight bones: the frontal, parietal (two), occipital, temporal (two), and sphenoid. The facial bones consist of 14 bones, including structures such as the maxilla, mandible, nasal bones, and zygomatic bones.

Understanding this framework is essential for dental nurses and healthcare professionals, as knowledge of skull anatomy is crucial for various dental procedures and understanding facial structures. The count of 22 is a standard anatomical fact, making it a key topic for students in dental nursing to master.