Human Anatomy and Physiology: The Skeleton

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the human skeleton, including features of the axial and appendicular skeletons, specific bones, and clinical conditions.

Axial Skeleton

Consists of 80 bones divided into the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

Includes bones of the limbs and their girdles, which attach them to the body trunk.

Pelvic Girdle

Formed by two hip bones and the sacrum, it attaches the lower limbs to the axial skeleton.

Cranial Bones

Bones that enclose the brain in the cranial cavity and provide sites for muscle attachment.

Facial Bones

The framework of the face, containing cavities for special sense organs for sight, taste, and smell.

Foramina

Named openings in the skull that provide passageways for the spinal cord, blood vessels, and cranial nerves.

Cervical Vertebrae

Comprises 7 vertebrae; they are the smallest and lightest vertebrae in the spinal column.

Thoracic Vertebrae

12 vertebrae that increase in size and articulate with ribs, allowing for rotation in the spine.

Lumbar Vertebrae

5 vertebrae that receive the most stress in the spinal column due to their large size.

Sphenoid Bone

A complex, bat-shaped bone that articulates with all other cranial bones; it houses the pituitary gland.

Clavicle

Also known as the collarbone, it connects the arm to the body and serves as a brace to hold the scapulae.

Hyoid Bone

Lies in the anterior neck; it is the only bone that does not articulate with any other bone.

Intervertebral Discs

Cushion-like pads between vertebrae that act as shock absorbers.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A condition caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist, often due to overuse.

Paranasal Sinuses

Air-filled spaces in certain skull bones that help to lighten the skull and enhance voice resonance.

True Ribs

Ribs 1-7 that attach directly to the sternum via their own costal cartilages.

False Ribs

Ribs 8-12 that do not attach directly to the sternum.

Floating Ribs

Ribs 11-12 that have no anterior attachment to the sternum.

Pelvic Outlet

The inferior margin of the true pelvis, defined by the pubic arch, ischial spines, and sacrum.

Medial Longitudinal Arch

The arch of the foot that runs along the medial side and is significant for weight distribution.

Cleft Palate

A congenital condition resulting from the failure of the left and right halves of the palate to fuse.