The Skull

Which of the following statements is true about the ossification of cranial sutures?

• All sutures close before birth

• All sutures close during early childhood

• Some sutures remain open through childhood and adolescence

• Sutures never close

Explain why some cranial sutures remain patent (open) through childhood and adolescence, and discuss the significance of this process for skull development.

• To allow for brain growth and skull expansion during development

• To prevent the skull from becoming too heavy

• To allow for easier movement of the head

• To reduce the risk of head injuries

What are sutures in the context of the human skull?

• Fibrous joints between skull bones

• Spaces where multiple bones meet but do not fuse

• Cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum

• Muscles that move the jaw

What happens to fontanelles over time after birth?

• They close and ossify

• They become larger

• They turn into muscles

• They remain open throughout life

What is the term for the condition in which a skull suture fuses prematurely, restricting skull growth in that direction?

• Osteoporosis

• Craniosynostosis

• Scoliosis

• Hydrocephalus

A child presents with abnormal skull shape and increased intracranial pressure. Which underlying process is most likely responsible for these symptoms?

• Delayed tooth eruption

• Premature fusion of a cranial suture (craniosynostosis)

• Excessive calcium intake

• Overexposure to sunlight

Explain how compensatory growth occurs in the skull when a suture fuses prematurely, and discuss the potential consequences.

• Growth stops completely, leading to a smaller head size.

• Growth occurs in other directions, leading to abnormal skull shapes and possibly increased intracranial pressure.

• The skull becomes softer and more flexible.

• The brain stops developing.

A student is asked to identify the part of the skull that forms the braincase. Which structure should they select?

• Viscerocranium

• Mandible

• Neurocranium

• Zygomatic bone

Which group of bones in the human skull is also known as the braincase?

• Neurocranium

• Viscerocranium

• Auditory ossicles

• Mandible

Explain the difference between the neurocranium and the viscerocranium in terms of their function and number of bones.

• The neurocranium (braincase) protects the brain and has 8 bones, while the viscerocranium (facial skeleton) forms the face and has 14 bones.

• The neurocranium forms the face and has 14 bones, while the viscerocranium protects the brain and has 8 bones.

• Both the neurocranium and viscerocranium have 22 bones each.

• The neurocranium and viscerocranium are the same and have no functional difference.