Chapter 7: Axial Skeleton

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts about the axial skeleton and its associated structures, based on lecture notes.

Axial Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that consists of 80 bones, including the ribs, sternum, skull, vertebrae, and hyoid bone.

Appendicular Skeleton

The part of the skeleton consisting of 126 bones, which include the limbs and bones that support the extremities.

Bone Classification

Bones can be classified based on their external appearance into several categories including short, flat, long, sesamoid, and irregular bones.

Calvarium

The roof of the skull, also known as the skullcap.

Fontanels

Uncalcified portions of the calvarium in a fetal skull that allow slight flexibility.

Sella Turcica

A depression in the sphenoid bone where the pituitary gland rests.

Cribriform Plate

Part of the ethmoid bone with perforations that the olfactory nerves pass through.

Olfaction

The sensory process of smelling.

Zygomatic Arch

The bone structure commonly referred to as the cheekbone, formed by the zygomatic bone and a process of the temporal bone.

Petrous Portion

The densest part of the temporal bone that surrounds the inner ear.

Wormian Bones

Small 'extra' bones that can occur along the sutures of the skull.

Cervical Vertebrae

7 vertebrae located in the neck region.

Thoracic Vertebrae

12 vertebrae that articulate with the 12 pairs of ribs.

Lumbar Vertebrae

5 vertebrae located in the lower back.

Sacrum

1 bone formed from 5 fused vertebrae.

Coccyx

1 bone formed from 4 fused vertebrae, also known as the tailbone.

Atlas

The first cervical vertebra that supports the skull.

Axis

The second cervical vertebra around which the atlas rotates.

Spinal Curves

The natural curves of the spine, including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral curves.

Scoliosis

An abnormal lateral curve of the spine.

Kyphosis

An excessive posterior thoracic curvature in the spine.

Lordosis

An excessive anterior lumbar curvature in the spine.

True Ribs

The first 7 pairs of ribs that have a direct cartilage connection to the sternum.

False Ribs

Ribs that do not have a direct connection to the sternum, including vertebrochondral and vertebral ribs.

Manubrium

The superior part of the sternum.

Gladiolus

The middle part of the sternum.

Xiphoid Process

The inferior part of the sternum.