What part of the body is formed by the top, back, and sides of the skull?

The cranium refers to the part of the skull that encases and protects the brain. It is specifically comprised of several bones that form the upper, back, and sides of the skull. This includes the frontal bone (forehead region), parietal bones (sides and roof), occipital bone (back), and temporal bones (sides), collectively known as the cranial vault. The cranium serves several crucial functions, including supporting the structures of the face, providing an attachment for the muscles of the head, and offering protection to the brain from trauma. The other options represent different structures in the body: the cervical vertebrae are the neck bones, the sphenoid bone is a complex bone located at the base of the skull, and the zygomatic bone forms the prominence of the cheek.