Which human bone forms the forehead and roof of the eye sockets?

The frontal bone forms the forehead and part of the roof of each eye socket.

It is a single bone at the front of the skull, positioned above the nasal bones and in front of the parietal bones. Its broad squamous portion creates the forehead, while its orbital portions help form the superior walls of the orbits, the bony cavities that contain the eyes.

The frontal bone also contributes to the anterior cranial fossa, which supports the front part of the brain. In many adults it contains paired frontal sinuses, air-filled spaces that connect with the nasal cavity. These sinuses vary considerably in size and shape between individuals.

In infancy, the frontal bone develops as two halves separated by a metopic suture. That suture usually fuses during childhood, although a persistent metopic suture can remain in some adults. The frontal bone is distinct from the parietal bones, which form much of the skull’s upper sides.