The human skull has 22 bones consisting of 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones. The majority of the bones of the skull are fused by sutures, a fibrous joint that is unique to the skull. The only exception is the mandible (jawbone). Biomechanically, the sutured bones of the skull act as a single unit protecting the brain, eyes, and ears. The occipital bone at the base of the skull connects the skull to the cervical spine through the atlanto-occipital joint. This joint, in combination with the other joints in the cervical spine, enables the head to move in a variety of different ways.
