How many cranial bones are present in the adult skull?

In an adult skull, there are eight cranial bones. This set of bones serves to protect the brain and provides structure to the head. The eight cranial bones consist of the frontal, parietal (two), occipital, temporal (two), and sphenoid and ethmoid bones. Each of these bones plays a critical role in forming the cranial cavity and protecting the brain from injury, as well as supporting the structures of the face.

Understanding the number and types of cranial bones is essential for various fields, including anatomy, medicine, and chiropractic practice, since they form the framework for further study of the skull's functions and its connection to the nervous system.