Which of the following bones is paired in the cranium?

The temporal bones are paired in the cranium, meaning that there are two temporal bones, one on each side of the skull. These bones play a crucial role in forming the sides and base of the skull and house structures important for hearing and balance, including the inner ear.

In contrast, the ethmoid, occipital, and frontal bones are all unpaired. The ethmoid bone is located at the roof of the nasal cavity and contributes to the eye sockets. The occipital bone forms the back and base of the skull and contains the foramen magnum, which allows the spinal cord to connect with the brain. The frontal bone forms the forehead and the upper parts of the eye sockets. Each of these unpaired bones serves distinct structural and protective roles within the cranial cavity, but they are not categorized as paired bones. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the unique pairing of the temporal bones within the cranium.