The 'calvaria' (or 'calva', or 'skullcap') is the roof of the
skull. It is formed by the following bones:
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frontal bone
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parietal bones (two)
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occipital bone
In a fetus, the formation of the Calvaria involves a process known as
intramembranous ossification, although the base of the skull (underlying the brain) develops through
endochondral ossification.
Inner surface of the skull-cap
The inner surface of the skull-cap is concave and presents depressions for the convolutions of the
cerebrum, together with numerous furrows for the lodgement of branches of the meningeal vessels.
Along the middle line is a longitudinal groove, narrow in front, where it commences at the frontal crest, but broader behind; it lodges the superior sagittal sinus, and its margins afford attachment to the
falx cerebri.
On either side of it are several depressions for the
arachnoid granulations, and at its back part, the openings of the
parietal foramina when these are present.
It is crossed, in front, by the
coronal suture, and behind by the
lambdoidal, while the sagittal lies in the medial plane between the parietal bones.
External links
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