What is the area of the head above the ears and eyes that contains the brain called?

The area of the head above the ears and eyes that contains the brain is known as the cranium. The cranium is an essential part of the skull and serves as a protective case for the brain, safeguarding it from injury. Structurally, it consists of several bones that are fused together, providing a sturdy enclosure.

The cranium is distinct in its function from other facial bones, such as the mandible and maxilla, which are involved in the structure of the jaw and the face rather than in cranial protection. The mandible is the lower jawbone, while the maxilla refers to the upper jawbone, neither of which contribute to the enclosure of the brain. The sphenoid bone is a complex bone located at the base of the skull, primarily involved in connecting and supporting surrounding structures, but it does not encompass the entirety of the cranial cavity or function as the primary protective container for the brain.

Therefore, the cranium is accurately identified as the region of the head that encompasses and safeguards the brain, highlighting its critical role in human anatomy.