How many cranial bones are in the human skull?

The human cranium—the portion of the skull that encloses and protects the brain—consists of eight bones.1

These bones are:
* Frontal bone (1): Forms the forehead.1
* Parietal bones (2): Form the sides and roof of the cranium.1
* Temporal bones (2): Form the sides and base of the cranium.1
* Occipital bone (1): Forms the base of the cranium and contains the foramen magnum.1
* Sphenoid bone (1): Part of the cranial floor.1
* Ethmoid bone (1): Part of the cranial floor.1

While these eight bones make up the cranium, the facial area of the skull is composed of additional distinct bones, such as the zygomatic and maxillary bones.1