Which part of the skull undergoes endochondral bone growth?

Endochondral bone growth primarily occurs in the cranial base, which is the flat part of the skull that houses the brain and forms the base of the skull structure. This type of growth involves the formation of bone through a cartilage intermediate, where hyaline cartilage is gradually replaced by bone.

The cranial base is made up of several bones that develop in this manner, which is essential for accommodating the growth of the brain and cranial cavity during early development. This process allows for the proper shaping and sizing of the head as the individual grows, ensuring that the skull can support essential functions such as brain protection and the formation of facial structures.

In contrast, other parts of the skull, like the cranial vault, mandible, and maxilla, primarily undergo intramembranous ossification, which does not involve a cartilage stage. This difference in developmental pathways helps to define the distinct regions of the skull and contributes to their respective structural characteristics.