Head

The head is the part of the body located at the upper front of quadrupeds and contains the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. It is where the sensory organs most essential to perceiving the environment are concentrated.

In humans, the head is supported by the cervical vertebrae of the spine, which protect the brain and connect it to the rest of the body. The facial region manages respiration, food intake, and visual communication.

Structure of the skull

The skull is divided into two parts: the cranium, which houses the brain, and the facial skeleton. Small bones joined together form sutures, which are flexible in infancy and harden over time. The large opening at the base, the foramen magnum, connects the spinal column to the brain.

The brain and sensation

The brain is the centre controlling movement, thought, speech, and automatic body functions. It is surrounded by three protective layers called the meninges and is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid. The senses of the head—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—transmit information directly to the brain through specialized sensory pathways.

The face and its functions

The face contains the mouth, nose, and eyes. Facial muscles enable the expression of emotion and speech. The nose and mouth are the primary passages for air and food, while the teeth begin the process of digestion.

Other animals

Many animal species have heads of varying structure depending on their way of life. Insects have a head with forward-facing eyes and sensory antennae. Among animals with backbones, the concentration of sensory organs in the head is known as cephalization.