The cranial vault primarily develops through intramembranous ossification, where mesenchymal stem cells directly differentiate into osteoblasts without a cartilage intermediate. This process allows for the rapid formation and expansion of flat bones like the frontal and parietal bones. Understanding this is crucial during cranial surgeries to avoid damaging the developing osteogenic fronts and sutures, which are vital for skull growth and remodeling. Unlike endochondral ossification, the direct bone formation in intramembranous ossification results in a more pliable cranial vault in infancy, impacting surgical approaches to craniosynostosis and trauma management.

Reference: Gray’s Anatomy, Standring S, 42nd Edition.