Skeletal System: The Axial and Appendicular Skeleton

Vocabulary flashcards on key concepts from the lecture notes regarding the axial and appendicular skeleton.

Axial Skeleton

The central supporting axis of the body, consisting of the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

The bones of the upper and lower limbs and the pectoral and pelvic girdles that attach them to the axial skeleton.

Paranasal Sinuses

Cavities connected to the nasal cavity, filled with air, that lighten the skull and act as resonance chambers.

Cranial Bones

The eight bones that form the braincase protecting the brain: Frontal, Parietal (2), Temporal (2), Occipital, Sphenoid, and Ethmoid.

Facial Bones

Fourteen bones that have no direct contact with the brain or meninges, including maxillae, palatine, zygomatic, lacrimal, nasal, vomer, and mandible.

Vertebral Column

The column of 33 vertebrae that supports the skull and trunk and enables movement.

Cervical Vertebrae

The seven vertebrae in the neck region of the vertebral column.

Thoracic Vertebrae

The twelve vertebrae to which the ribs are attached, located in the upper back.

Lumbar Vertebrae

The five vertebrae in the lower back that bear weight.

Sacral Vertebrae

The five fused vertebrae forming a triangular shape that connects to the pelvic girdle.

Coccyx

The small tailbone made up of four fused vertebrae, vestige of a tail.

Thoracic Cage

The structure formed by the thoracic vertebrae, sternum, and ribs that protects the heart and lungs.

Scapula

The triangular-shaped bone in the shoulder that articulates with the humerus.

Clavicle

The bone that acts as a strut supporting the shoulder, connecting medially to the sternum and laterally to the scapula.

Humerus

The bone of the upper arm that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula.

Radius

The lateral bone of the forearm that allows for rotation at the elbow.

Ulna

The medial bone of the forearm that forms the elbow joint with the humerus.

Pelvic Girdle

Composed of the ossa coxae, sacrum, and coccyx, it supports the trunk and protects pelvic cavity viscera.

Femur

The thigh bone that forms a ball and socket joint with the acetabulum of the pelvis.

Tibia

The larger and medial bone of the leg that bears weight.

Fibula

The slender, lateral bone of the leg that stabilizes the ankle.

Tarsals

The seven bones in the ankle necessary for weight bearing.

Metatarsals

The five long bones in the foot between the tarsals and phalanges.

Phalanges

The bones of the toes (similar to fingers) that include proximal, middle, and distal segments.

Ossification

The process of bone formation, where cartilage is gradually replaced by bone.

Polydactyly

A developmental abnormality where extra fingers or toes are present.

Syndactyly

The fusion of two or more digits, often seen in developmental abnormalities.