Which bone forms parts of the side of the skull and floor of the cranial cavity, with distinct right and left bones?

Which bone forms parts of the side of the skull and floor of the cranial cavity, with distinct right and left bones?

• A. Temporal bone
• B. Parietal bone
• C. Zygomatic bone
• D. Carpals

Answer: (A)

The temporal bone is the one that forms parts of the side of the skull and contributes to the floor of the cranial cavity, and there are distinct bones on the right and left. Each side has its own temporal bone, so you have a pair. The temporal bone sits at the side of the skull and includes structures that help form the base of the skull, which is why it’s described as contributing to the floor of the cranial cavity. The other options don’t fit: parietal bones mainly roof and sides of the skull, not the floor; zygomatic bones are the cheekbones; carpals are wrist bones.

The temporal bone is the one that forms parts of the side of the skull and contributes to the floor of the cranial cavity, and there are distinct bones on the right and left. Each side has its own temporal bone, so you have a pair. The temporal bone sits at the side of the skull and includes structures that help form the base of the skull, which is why it’s described as contributing to the floor of the cranial cavity. The other options don’t fit: parietal bones mainly roof and sides of the skull, not the floor; zygomatic bones are the cheekbones; carpals are wrist bones.