What is the term for the part of the skull that encloses the brain and is composed of eight bones?

The term that refers to the part of the skull that encloses the brain and is composed of eight bones is the cranium. The cranium serves as a protective structure for the brain, providing a rigid casing that helps safeguard this vital organ from injury. Its composition includes the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones, which together form a strong yet lightweight framework.

The mandible references the lower jawbone, which is not involved in protecting the brain. The maxilla is the upper jawbone, also not part of the cranial structure. The occipital is one of the bones that make up the cranium, but it is not the term that describes the entire protective enclosure for the brain. Understanding the distinction among these terms can help clarify their anatomical roles.