The fetal skull contains the delicate brain which may be subjected to great pressure as the head passes through the birth canal. It is large in comparison with the true pelvis and some adaptation between the skull and pelvis must take place during labor. The head is the most difficult part to deliver whether it comes first or last.
The skull is generally divided into two parts. The vault and the base.
THE VAULT
The vault is further sub divided into five main bones.
1. The Occipital bone: lies at the back of the head and forms the region of the occipit. Part of it contributes to the base of the skull as it contains the foramen magnum which protects the spinal cord.
2. The two Parietal bones: lie on either side of the skull. The ossification centre of each is called parietal eminence.
3. The two Frontal bones: form the fore head or sinciput. At the centre of each is frontal bass or frontal eminence. The frontal bones fuse together into a single bone by eight years of age.
4. In addition to these five, the upper part of the temporal bone is also flat and forms a small part of the vault.
The skull is generally divided into two parts. The vault and the base.
THE VAULT
The vault is further sub divided into five main bones.
1. The Occipital bone: lies at the back of the head and forms the region of the occipit. Part of it contributes to the base of the skull as it contains the foramen magnum which protects the spinal cord.
2. The two Parietal bones: lie on either side of the skull. The ossification centre of each is called parietal eminence.
3. The two Frontal bones: form the fore head or sinciput. At the centre of each is frontal bass or frontal eminence. The frontal bones fuse together into a single bone by eight years of age.
4. In addition to these five, the upper part of the temporal bone is also flat and forms a small part of the vault.
