Skull and Facial Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology

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Introduction

The skull is divided into three components- the neurocranium, the dermatocranium and the viscerocranium. The skull protects the brain and head against injury and supports the structures of the face. In some animals the skull is also used for defensive actions, for example in horned ungulates such as rhino.

The neurocranium develops from the neural crest and mesoderm and undergoes endochondral ossification. It lies ventral to the brain.

The dermatocranium lies dorsal to the brain and develops from the neural crest and mesoderm. It undergoes intramembranous oddification.

The viscerocranium is the pharyngeal skeleton. It is derived only from the neural crest and undergoes endochondral and intramembranous ossification.