Parietal bone

Parietal Bone

The Parietal Bone (/pəˈraɪɪtəl/; from Latin paries, meaning "wall") is a bone in the human skull which, when joined together, form the sides and roof of the cranium. Each skull has two parietal bones: one on the left and one on the right.

Etymology

The term "Parietal" comes from the Latin word paries, which means "wall". This is in reference to the bone's function as the "wall" or side of the skull.

Anatomy

The parietal bone is bordered by four sutures that connect it to the neighboring bones. These are the sagittal suture that connects the two parietal bones together, the coronal suture that connects it to the frontal bone, the lambdoid suture that connects it to the occipital bone, and the squamosal suture that connects it to the temporal bone.

Function

The main function of the parietal bone is to protect the brain and support the structures of the head. It also provides attachment for muscles that move the head.

Related Terms

Cranium: The upper part of the skull, which houses and protects the brain. The cranium is formed by the frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
Suture: A type of joint that connects the bones of the skull.
Temporal bone: A bone in the skull located at the sides and base, near the parietal and sphenoid bones.
Occipital bone: The trapezoid-shaped bone found at the lower back area of the cranium, near the parietal bone.