Lesson
objectives
• At the end of the lesson
learners should be able to:
• Describe a structure of a
human skeleton.
• Name parts in which a human
skeleton is divided into
• State 3 parts that form an
axial skeleton.
• Explain functions of a human
skeleton
THE
HUMAN
SKELETON
2. THE HUMAN SKELETON
Axial skeleton
• The skull
• Vertebral column
• Rib cage
❑ Consist of two main groups of bones. (facial and cranium
bones)
❑ It consists of 8 cranium that are connected to each other
a. AXIAL SKELETON:
by immovable joints called sutures and 15 facial bones.
❑ The lower jaw bone (Mandible) is the only movable bone of
the skull – Upper jaw (Maxilla) is not moveable.
❑ The large opening at the base of the skull is called the
foramen magnum – it is where the spinal cord enters the
i)Human Skull
skull
Human Skull
❖ Consists of 33 bones called vertebrae.
a. AXIAL SKELETON:
❖ Cartilage disks are found between vertebrae.
❖ The first vertebrae – Atlas – carry the weight of the skull, allows the head to nod.
❖ 2nd vertebrae – Axis – allows head to move to the side
ii)VERTEBRAL
COLUMN
a. AXIAL SKELETON:ii) VERTEBRAL COLUMN
❖ Vertebrae is divided into
❖ 7 Cervical vertebrae
❖ 12 Thoracic vertebrae
❖ 5 Lumbar vertebrae
❖ 5 fused vertebrae = sacrum
❖ 4 fused vertebrae = coccyx
Functons of a human skeleton.
❖ Support
FUNCTIONS ❖ Movement
OF A ❖ Protection
❖ Blood cell production
SKELETON ❖ Storage
a. Support
▪ The skeleton provides the
framework which supports
the body and maintains its
shape.
b. MOVEMENT
▪ The joints between bones
permit movement.
▪ Movement is powered by
skeletal muscles, which are
attached to the skeleton at
various sites on bones..
c. Protection
• The skeleton protects many vital
organs e.g.:
▪ The skull protects the brain,
the eyes, and the middle and
inner ears.
▪ The vertebrae protects the
spinal cord.
▪ The rib cage, spine, and
sternum protect the lungs,
heart and major blood vessels.
d. Blood cell
production
• White and red blood cells are
formed in the red bone marrow.
Questions.
homework
