Vault

Vault (anatomy)

The vault or cranial vault is the space within the skull occupied by the brain. It is a part of the skull that encloses the brain, and is composed of the forehead (frontal bone) and the upper parts of the parietal bones and occipital bone.

Structure

The vault is formed by the superior parts of the frontal, occipital, and parietal bones, and is lined by the meninges and filled with cerebrospinal fluid to protect the brain. The bones of the vault are initially separated by regions of dense connective tissue called fontanelles. Over time, these fontanelles close as the bones grow together.

Clinical significance

Conditions that affect the vault include craniosynostosis, which is the premature fusion of the bones of the vault, and hydrocephalus, which is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain. These conditions can lead to changes in the shape and size of the skull, and potentially cause neurological damage.

See also

• Skull
• Cranium
• Brain
• Meninges
• Cerebrospinal fluid

External links

• MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Cranial sutures

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