Human Anatomy and Physiology Chapter 07: The Skeleton

This set of flashcards includes vocabulary terms and definitions from Chapter 07 of Human Anatomy and Physiology, focusing on the skeletal system.

Axial Skeleton

Consists of 80 bones including the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage, functioning to support, protect, and form the body's longitudinal axis.

Appendicular Skeleton

Composed of the bones of the limbs and their girdles, consisting of pectoral and pelvic girdles that attach the limbs to the body.

Cranial Bones

Eight bones that encase the brain, forming the cranium, which includes the frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.

Facial Bones

Fourteen bones that form the framework of the face and contain cavities for sensory organs, as well as secure teeth and anchor facial muscles.

Fontanelles

Unossified remnants of fibrous membranes connecting skull bones in infants that allow for brain growth and ease of birth.

Foramina

Openings in the skull that provide passageways for nerves and blood vessels, including the 85 named openings like foramina, canals, and fissures.

Vertebral Column

The spine, composed of 26 vertebrae categorized into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal regions.

Intervertebral Discs

Cushion-like pads between vertebrae that act as shock absorbers, composed of a gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) and an outer collar (anulus fibrosus).

Pelvic Girdle

Structured from two hip bones and the sacrum, it attaches lower limbs to the axial skeleton and supports pelvic organs.

Paranasal Sinuses

Air-filled spaces within certain skull bones that lighten the skull, humidify air, and enhance voice resonance.