The bone that makes up much of the lateral and superior cranium is the parietal bone. There are two parietal bones in the human skull, located on the left and right sides. They are rectangular in shape and form a significant portion of the top and sides of the head.
The parietal bones play a crucial role in protecting the brain and providing structure to the skull. They articulate with several other cranial bones, including the frontal bone at the front, the occipital bone at the back, and the temporal and sphenoid bones at the sides. The parietal bones also contain sutures, which are fibrous joints that connect them to other bones, providing stability to the skull as a whole.
In summary, if you’re looking for the bones that contribute greatly to the sides and roof of the cranium, the parietal bones are the key players.