The human skeleton

Axial Skeleton Appendicular

skeleton
Includes:
Includes:
1. Skull
1. Girdles – Pectoral and Pelvic
2. Vertebral column
2. Limb Bones – Fore limb and
3. Ribs
Hind limb
4. Sternum

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/sites/default/files/SkeletonViewer/SkeletonViewer.swf
 The Skull
Cranium:
Consists of 8 flat bones joined together by immovable
joints called sutures.
Surrounds and protects the brain.
The bones of the cranium:
 Frontal Bone (1)
 2. Parietal Bones (2)
 3. Occipital Bone (1) – the “back” of the
head
 4. Temporal Bones (2)
 Sphenoid Bone (1)
 Ethmoid Bone (1)
There is a large opening at the base of the skull called
the FORAMEN MAGNUM through which the spinal
cord passes
On either side of the foramen magnum is a projection or
condyle which articulate with the first vertebra (called the
ATLAS) to give the nodding movement of the head
Facial bones:

15 facial bones.

Irregular bones that include: cheek nasal , temple and
upper and lower jaw bones.
The only movable bone is the lower jaw.

Mandible- Lower Jaw

 The upper and lower jaws bear the sockets for the
32 permanent teeth.
 The human dental formula is: 2.1.2.3
 The vertebrate column
The vertebral columns is divided into 5 regions:

 Cervical (neck) region

Thoracic region (chest)
 Lumbar region (lower back)
Sacral region
 Coccyx
 Cervical (neck) region

Consisting of 7 vertebrae.
 1st vertebra  Atlas
 2nd vertebra  Axis
 Thoracic region (chest)

 12 vertebrae each of which bears a pair of ribs

 Lumbar region (lower back)

The largest vertebrae as they carry the weight of the body

 Sacral region

 Consist of 5 fused vertebrae forming a bone called the sacrum.

 Coccyx
 Made up of 4 infused bones
 Curves of a spine
Four curves:
 The cervical and lumbar regions curving FOWARD
 The thoracic and sacral regions curve BACKWARD
 FUNCTIONS OF VERTEBRAL COLUMN

Supports the skull

Surrounds and protects the spinal cord.
Provides attachment for ribs, girdles, and back muscles
Separate vertebrae and S-shaped curvature provide flexibility
allowing humans to bend backwards, forwards and sideways.
Cartilage discs act as shock absorbers
 RIB CAGE
 Consists of 12 thoracic vertebrae, 12 pairs of ribs and the
sternum or breastbone
Functions of rib cage:

 Protection of the heart and lungs

 With the help of the diaphragm and the intercostal
muscles they increase. And decrease the volume of the
thoracic cavity thereby allowing inhalation and exhalation
to take place.