Final answer:
The cranium bone responsible for forming part of the eye sockets, supporting the upper jaw, holding the pituitary gland, and transmitting the optic nerve is the sphenoid bone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bone of the cranium that forms part of the eye sockets, supports the back part of the upper jaw, holds the pituitary gland, and transmits the optic nerve is the sphenoid bone.
The sphenoid bone is unique due to its shape and location. It is situated at the base of the skull and connects with several other bones. This multidimensional bone is a single midline bone that constitutes part of the floor of the middle cranial fossa and features distinct landmarks such as a pair of lesser wings and greater wings, the sella turcica that surrounds the hypophyseal fossa, and various foramina that allow the passage of nerves and blood vessels, including the critical optic canal, through which the optic nerve passes.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: (C) Sphenoid bone.