Most people are familiar with the basic structure of the human skull. It is a symbol used in everything from fashion such as Alexander McQueen’s iconic skull print, to film (Pirates of the Caribbean, anyone?) to home decor, but very rarely does anyone have the opportunity to see its inner workings. 

Human skulls have many cavities and inner structures that are not immediately visible with a surface inspection. The teeth root system, the sinus cavity, the inner ear, the skull cavity, and the inner skull structure, all of these regions are not immediately visible. So how does anyone learn about the entirety of the skull? 

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Demonstrative Skulls!

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Demonstrative skulls are recognizable by the detailed cuts and the wax structures they feature. Typical medical skulls have usually only one cut: the autopsy or calvarium cut that allows for examination of the inner cranium. Occasionally they might feature a sagittal cut that bisects the skull. 

Demonstrative skulls feature both of those cuts and more. A typical demonstrative skull is perfect for doctors and dentists in training to understand the more in-depth workings of the skull, or even just the avid learner. Featuring sinus cavity cuts below and above the eye socket to show where the frontal and maxillary sinuses are, mandible cuts for examining teeth root systems, ear canal cuts where the eardrum used to be housed, and wax string detailing nerve systems around the teeth.

A demonstrative skull also differs from an explanatory skull, which is painted to depict muscle regions in addition to the cuts a demonstrative skull would have. While explanatory skulls are beautiful in their own right, they might provide too much information when trying to understand the skeletal structure alone.

Demonstrative skulls are the perfect tool for anyone wishing to dive deeper into human osteology, whether you are a teacher or a student. You can pick from our selection here!