How many bones comprise the human skull?

The human skull is comprised of 22 bones, which are categorized into two main groups: the cranial bones and the facial bones. There are eight cranial bones that protect the brain (frontal, parietals, temporals, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid) and 14 facial bones that give structure to the face (such as maxillae, mandible, and nasal bones). This well-defined structure serves crucial functions such as protection of the brain and sensory organs, as well as providing attachment points for muscles involved in chewing and facial expressions. It's important to note that while some references may include additional elements like sutural bones, traditionally, the count remains 22 for standard anatomical descriptions.