Anatomy and Physiology- Skeletal System

Ossicles

three tiny bones located in the middle ear contains the stapes, malleus, and incus

Stapes

the smallest bone in middle ear AND in the WHOLE BODY, helps transfer sound

Malleus

bone part of the middle ear that appears like a hammer, assists with transferring sound

Incas

another small bone located in the middle ear, transfers signals from malleus to stapes  

Hyoid Bone

U shaped bone that helps with swallowing, speech, and respiration, it looks like a horseshoe 

Vertebral Column

• AKA the SPINE 

• vertebrae are named based on location in the column 

• c1-c7 (CERVICAL vertebrae in NECK)

• T1-T12 (THORACIC vertebrae in upper back)

• L1-L5 (LUMBAR vertebrae in lower back) 

• 2 bones below lumber region; sacrum and coccyx

• —> Acronym: “Can’t Trust Lies” 

Axis

• C2 of the spine (meaning it 

• allows the head to rotate 

• smaller and less wide than atlas

Atlas

• C1 of vertebrae column

• supports the head

• allows for nodding, support, and rotation of head

Cervical Vertebrae

• seven vertebrae that form the neck 

• have unique features like the foramen 

• the spinous process  (flat part) looks circular with holes next to it 

Thoracic Vertebrae

• 12 vertebrae in mid spine

• They have a pointy section which is their spinous process 

• smaller than cervical and lumbar vertebrae

Lumbar Vertebrae

• 5 vertebrae in the lower back 

• designed to support weight of lower body 

• part at the top has a nub on it/shorter spinous process 

• LARGEST/bears most weight

Sternum

• flat bone in the center of the chest that connects to the ribs

• protects internal organs

Ribs

• bones that are curved and form the rib cage

• protects the heart and lungs

True Ribs

• pair of ribs that connects DIRECTLY to STERNUM 

• seven pairs of ribs on each side of body

False Ribs

• ribs that DO NOT connect directly to STERNUM 

• located BELOW sternum

Floating Ribs 

• 11th and 12th pair of ribs

• NOT connected to sternum

• LAST pair of ribs

• “floating” around at the bottom of ribcage

Clavicle

• long bones that connect the shoulder blade to the breast bone 

• also known as your collar bones 

Scapula 

• also known as the shoulder blades 

• flat bone 

• connects humerus (arm bone) to clavicle (collar bone)

Humerus

• also known as the arm bone

• long bone

• the epiphysis (or the ends of the bones) look rounder at the top and round-ish on the bottom 

Radius

• connects to the Ulna

• thicker of the two

• A part of your forearm area (located on the “thumb side”

• BROAD distal end 

• long bone

Ulna

• connects to the radius 

• skinnier of the two 

• ulna has a “top notch” that looks like a roblox hand

Phalanges

• also known as FINGERS

• the parts closer to the top 

Metacarpals

• located below the phalanges 

• in the middle 

Carpals

• also known as the wrist 

• short bones 

Pelvic Girdle

• this is also known as the PELVIS

• made up with two hip bones and includes the sacrum located in the back

Femur

• LONGEST/LARGEST bone in the body

• AKA thighbone

• long bone

• has two knobs at the distal end and one knob at the proximal end 

Patella 

• the knee cap

• seasamoid bone

• looks like a widened out tear drop 

Tibia

• thicker of the two bones and attaches to the fibula

• attaches to the patella, as well as the femur

• “the front of your leg'“

• SHIN BONE

Fibula

• also known as your CALF BONE

• skinnier than tibia, connects to tibia

Tarsals 

• short bones located in the ankle and heel 

Sacrum

• shield shape bone that is apart of the vertebral column

• has holes in it

• helps provide support for pelvis

Coccyx 

• very last portion of the vertebral column after the sacrum

• it is like a triangle shapes/tailbone