1. The bony or cartilaginous framework that encloses and protects the brain and sense organs of all vertebrates and of one group of nonvertebrates (the hagfishes); cranium. 2. Informal The head, regarded as the seat of thought or intelligence: Use your skull and solve the problem. 3. A...
Organisms that have the neural crest and a cranium are part of the clade Craniata which includes the vertebrates and the hagfishes. The cranium and vertebral column are parts of the vertebrate axial skeleton. This provides the main support structure for the central trunk of the body and makes...