Skull. Artwork of an adult human skull, seen from the side. 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 (1), parietal bone (2), occipital bone (3) and temporal bone (5). The face bones include the lower jaw (mandible, 13), upper jaw (maxilla, 12), and cheekbone (zygomatic bone, lying between 12 and 4). The jaws hold the teeth (white). The passage through the skull to the outer ear (acoustic meatus, below 6) is also seen. Image taken from a book published in 1901.