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Human head

life science Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The human head is at the very top of your body. It holds your face and protects your brain inside a bony skull. This skull is made of 22 different bones. The head sits on your neck. Seven cervical vertebrae, which are bones in your neck, help support it. Most human heads weigh within a certain range. Over 98% of people fall into this normal weight group.

Head ap anatomy
Head ap anatomy

Your head works like a busy processing center. It contains sensory organs like your eyes, ears, nose, and tongue. These parts send information to your brain about the world. This central nerve cluster helps you process information very fast. Blood also flows to the head through special tubes called arteries. The internal carotid arteries carry blood inside the skull. The external carotid arteries carry blood to the area outside the skull.

Gray784
Gray784

Nerves help the head move and feel things. Twelve pairs of cranial nerves provide most of the control. The facial nerve, which is the seventh cranial nerve, lets you smile or grimace. The trigeminal nerve, or the fifth cranial nerve, gives you feeling in your face. Other sensations come from the cervical nerves. Scientists have studied these nerve paths for a long time. Even the famous 1918 book Gray's Anatomy showed these important areas.

Gray784
Gray784

People use their heads to recognize one another. Your brain is built to see the small differences in faces. This includes eye color, hair color, and the shape of a nose. Because of this, human babies can tell faces apart very early. Some people think big heads mean high intelligence. However, science shows brain size is only slightly linked to how smart someone is. A study in the United States estimated average head sizes for men and women.

Head ap anatomy
Head ap anatomy

Humans also use head coverings for many different reasons. A hat can be for fashion or to keep you warm. Some hats are hard hats used for safety at work. People also wear head coverings to show respect or for religion. For example, some men wear a yarmulke or a turban. Some women wear a hijab or a nun's habit. These choices can show a person's job, team, or beliefs.

0004 Madagascar (5558700320)
0004 Madagascar (5558700320)
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COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een Ibu Dajak...
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0004 Madagascar (5558700320).jpg
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