Skull. Artwork of a sagittal cross-section through an adult human skull. The skull protects the brain, eyes & ears and provides attachment for the muscles of the face and mouth. It is made up of 28 separate bones. The cranium protects the brain and consists of 8 bones, including the frontal bone (6), parietal bone (7), occipital bone (9) and temporal bone (8). The face bones include the lower jaw (mandible, 20), upper jaw (maxilla, 18), nasal bone (1) and ethmoid bone (2). Cavities (sinuses, 14 & 15) in skull bones may become infected and swollen, causing pain. The passage through the skull to the outer ear (auditory meatus, 12) is also seen. Image from 1901.