In human anatomy, the neurocranium, also known as the braincase, brainpan, or brain-pan is the upper and back part of the skull, which forms a protective case around the brain. In the human skull, the neurocranium includes the calvaria or skullcap. The remainder of the skull is the facial skeleton. In comparative anatomy, neurocranium is sometimes used synonymously with endocranium or chondrocranium. Structure The neurocranium is divided into two portions: the membranous part, consisting of flat bones, which surround the brain; and the cartilaginous part, or chondrocranium, which forms bones of the base of the skull.In humans, the neurocranium is usually considered to include the following eight bones: 1 ethmoid bone 1 frontal bone 1 occipital bone 2 parietal bones 1 sphenoid bone 2 temporal bonesThe ossicles (three on each side) are usually not included as bones of the neurocranium. There may variably also be extra sutural bones present. Below the neurocranium is a complex of openings...