Skull & Cranial Anatomy
Cranial vault
The cranial vault is the space enclosed by the skull bones where the brain sits, and also describes the bony dome itself.
In short: Cranial vault
- It houses the brain.
- It is bounded by the calvaria above and the skull base below.
- Pressure changes inside it are relevant to hydrocephalus.
- The term can refer to both the space and the surrounding bone.
What it is
It is the bony enclosure — and the space within it — that holds the brain and cerebrospinal fluid. The term is used both for the protected space and for the bony dome around it.
Understanding Cranial vault
The brain and cerebrospinal fluid occupy the cranial vault; when fluid builds up (hydrocephalus), pressure inside the vault can rise, which the team monitors through signs like a bulging fontanelle and head growth. Because the vault is a largely enclosed space, changes in its contents affect pressure, which is central to recognizing and managing hydrocephalus.
Why it matters
Understanding the cranial vault as an enclosed space explains why fluid buildup raises pressure and why the team watches head size and the soft spot so closely in children with encephalocele.
Common questions
What is in the cranial vault?
The brain and cerebrospinal fluid.
Why does pressure matter?
Rising pressure can signal hydrocephalus.
How is pressure monitored?
Through signs like a bulging soft spot and head growth.
Bottom line
The cranial vault is the bony space holding the brain, where pressure is monitored for hydrocephalus.
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