What are the main functions of the human skeleton?

The skeleton serves three primary functions: it forms a rigid framework for the body, protects internal organs like the brain, heart, and lungs, and acts as a lever system to facilitate body movements.

What is the difference between the axial and appendicular skeleton?

The skeleton is divided into two parts for study: the axial skeleton includes bones along the central axis (e.g., skull, vertebral column), while the appendicular skeleton comprises the limbs and their girdles (e.g., arms, legs).

What bones are included in the axial skeleton?

The axial skeleton consists of bones along the body's central axis, including the skull, auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes), hyoid bone, vertebral column (with 33 vertebrae), and the rib cage (12 pairs of ribs and sternum).

What are the components of the appendicular skeleton?

The appendicular skeleton includes the pectoral girdle (clavicles and scapulae), upper limb bones (e.g., humerus, radius, ulna), pelvic girdle (hip bones), and lower limb bones (e.g., femur, tibia, fibula).

How many vertebrae are in the vertebral column, and how are they grouped?

The vertebral column has 33 vertebrae grouped into 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused into sacrum), and 4 coccygeal (fused into coccyx), resulting in 26 individual bones.

What is the role of the pectoral and pelvic girdles in the skeleton?

The pectoral girdle (clavicles and scapulae) provides attachment for the upper limbs, while the pelvic girdle (hip bones) forms a ring with the sacrum to support the lower limbs and body weight.

Human Skeleton – Axial vs Appendicular Explained