The parietal bones are paired bones that form the sides and roof of the cranial vault, protecting the underlying brain tissue. They articulate with each other at the sagittal suture and connect with several other cranial bones to create a strong, protective dome. These bones contain important grooves for blood vessels and have attachments for the temporal muscles used in chewing.
The term "parietal" comes from the Latin word "paries" meaning "wall," as these bones form the walls of the skull. This architectural analogy reflects their role as the main structural walls of the cranial vault.
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