Chapter 07: The Skeleton

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms and definitions related to the skeletal system from the Human Anatomy and Physiology lecture notes.

Skeletal System

The organ system made up of bones, cartilages, joints, and ligaments.

Axial Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that consists of the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that consists of the bones of the limbs and their girdles.

Cranial Bones

The bones that enclose the brain in the cranial cavity.

Facial Bones

The bones that form the framework of the face and hold cavities for sense organs.

Vertebral Column

Also known as the spine, it consists of 26 irregular bones and supports and protects the spinal cord.

Sutures

The serrated joints where most skull bones are firmly locked together.

Thoracic Cage

Composed of ribs, the sternum, and thoracic vertebrae; protects thoracic organs.

Mandible

The largest and strongest bone of the face; the lower jaw.

Paranasal Sinuses

Air-filled spaces in the skull that help humidify and lighten the skull.