The science of judging a person's character, capabilities, etc. from an examination of the shape of his skull

One word substitute is Phrenology.

Physiology: the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.
Anthropology: the study of human societies and cultures and their development.
Phrenology: the detailed study of the shape and size of the cranium as a supposed indication of character and mental abilities.
Morphology: the study of the forms of things.