What are the skull main function?

Structural Support: The skull provides a rigid framework that supports and protects the delicate structures of the brain, eyes, ears, and nose. It maintains the overall shape of the head and allows for the attachment of muscles and ligaments.

Protection: The skull acts as a protective helmet for the brain. Its hard, bony structure shields the brain from external impacts, injuries, and trauma. The thickness of the skull bones, especially the cranium, helps to absorb and disperse impact forces, reducing the risk of brain damage.

Attachment Sites for Muscles and Ligaments: The skull provides attachment points for various muscles and ligaments. These attachments allow for facial expressions, chewing, swallowing, eye movement, and other essential functions of the head and neck.

Sensory Function: The skull contains several openings that allow for sensory inputs and outputs. These include the eye sockets (orbits) for vision, the external ear canals (auditory meatus) for hearing, and the nasal cavity for olfaction (smell). The skull also has foramina (small openings) that allow nerves and blood vessels to pass through, connecting the brain to the rest of the body.

Production of Red Blood Cells: The bone marrow within the skull, particularly in the flat bones, produces red blood cells (erythrocytes) through a process called hematopoiesis. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and play a crucial role in maintaining overall health.

Cranial Cavities: The interior of the skull is divided into three main cranial cavities: the cranium, the orbits, and the nasal cavity. Each of these cavities houses and protects specific structures related to the brain, vision, and respiration, respectively.