The crown is the top portion of the head behind the vertex. The anatomy of the crown varies between different organisms. The human crown is made of three layers of the scalp above the skull. The crown also covers a range of bone sutures, and contains blood vessels and branches of the trigeminal nerve.

The structure of the human crown provides a protective cavity for the brain and optimizes the crown's ability to ensure the neocortex is safe. Different parts of the neocortex, such as the frontal lobe and the parietal lobe, are protected by the meninges and bone structures. Other organisms, such as whales, have their blowholes on their crown, causing a flattened head shape. Some bird species have a crest located on their crown, used for communication and courtship.

Macroevolution of the human crown has led to different structures between modern and archaic human species, such as significant changes to the cranial vault. The human crown is prone to different injuries and disorders with various causes, medical signs and symptoms, methods of diagnosis, and treatments. For example, illnesses such as cerebrospinal fluid leak, which results in intense headaches that are localised underneath the crown. Other diseases include meningioma, a tumor surrounding essential blood vessels and nerves that may be near the crown, causing symptoms such as memory loss.

The crown is at the top of the human skull, and contains the different layers of the scalp. The scalp has three distinct layers including the cutaneous layer, a subcutaneous connective tissue layer, and a muscular layer. The crown covers bone layers of the skull. It is between 4 and 7 millimetres (0.16 and 0.28 in) thick, and varies between different people. It tends to increase in thickness with age.

Below the crown, the frontal bone and the parietal bones are separated by a range of fibrous joints called sutures. The sutures are an essential part of growth and development, allowing the skull to expand as the brain increases in size. Different sutures between the frontal and parietal bones of the skull expand in specific directions, causing a symmetrically shaped human head. The frontal bone and the parietal bones are joined at the frontal suture. The frontal bone has a number of parts, including the squamous part, the orbital part, and the nasal parts. The frontal bone connects to the parietal bone at the coronal suture to shape the crown and sides of the skull. The two separate parietal bones are joined at the sagittal suture, ensuring the crown is stable. Other structures of the human crown include blood vessels and nerves, which are essential for the allocation of nutrients to the brain, and the transmission of information to the brain. The superficial temporal artery branches from the common external carotid artery and delivers oxygenated blood to the crown. The crown also contains branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Organisms such as whales and birds have different crown structures and species use them in different situations. Sperm whales have their blowholes situated asymmetrically on the crown of the head to breathe, causing a flattened head shape. In bird anatomy, the crown is the top of the head, or more specifically the zone from the frons, or forehead, extending posteriorly to the occiput and laterally on both sides to the temples. The upper part of the head, including frons, crown, and occiput, is called the pileum. A bird with a crest covering the pileum is described as "pileated" such as the pileated woodpecker. The range of feathers that make up the crest determines the bird's emotions and courtship behaviors. For instance, bird species such as the northern cardinal move the crest intensely to signify dominance and communication.

The main function of the crown is to protect the brain from specific physical injuries. The neurocranium has the frontal and parietal bones that make up the crown and protect parts of the brain including the frontal lobe as well as the parietal lobe. The three membranes of the meninges ensures stability and prevents injuries directed to these lobes. For instance, the meninges which include flexible sheets between the brain, spinal cord, and skull aim to protect the frontal lobe, located behind the forehead. The cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the skull reduces the extent of the injury by acting as a cushion. Protecting the frontal lobe allows humans to perform motor movements and to execute functions. The parietal lobe of the neocortex which contains a strip targeting the sense of touch and allows for the representation of space for action is protected due to the thick layers of the crown.

The crown or human head is subjected to a range of injuries and diseases causing the brain to be vulnerable. The extent of the injuries and diseases directed to the human crown causes additional implications to the brain, impacting the individual's ability to function normally. The range of injuries and disorders have specific causes, medical signs and symptoms, diagnosis methods and treatments.