Fascinating view of an empty cranial cavity or vault after the extraction of the encephalon (brain) during an autopsy!
This is a space in the skull within the neurocranium, occupied by the brain. In humans, the size and shape of the brain, may be affected by the size of the vault. Brain autopsies has a significant importance in patients with traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. In some cases, autopsy is the only practical way in which brain tissue can be obtained for diagnosis. To remove the brain, an incision is made in the back of the skull from one ear to the other. The scalp is cut and separated from the underlying skull and pulled forward. The top of the skull is removed using a vibrating saw. The entire brain is then gently lifted out of the cranial vault. The spinal cord may also be taken by removing the anterior or posterior portion of the spinal column.
