Britannica Sources used in this answer

How does the skull protect the brain?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Internal structure of a human long bone — bone A long bone of the human body, showing a magnified cross section of the interior.

The skull protects the brain by serving as a rigid, skeletal framework that encases and shields it from external injury. This protective structure is composed of several bones, including the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital bones, which form a globular cranium.1

Beyond the physical barrier of the bone, the brain is further protected by the meninges, three membranous envelopes (the pia mater, arachnoid, and dura mater) that surround the central nervous system. The dura mater, the outermost and strongest of these layers, also acts as a lining for the inner surface of the skull bones.2

Additionally, the brain is cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear liquid that fills the ventricles and the space between the meninges. This fluid provides a vital mechanical barrier against shock; when a head injury occurs, the CSF acts as a cushion, distributing the impact to dull the force and protect the delicate brain tissue.32