Anatomy of the Human Skeleton: Axial, Appendicular, and Curvatures

Axial skeleton

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

Appendicular skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the limbs and girdles.

Cranial bones

Bones that enclose the brain in the cranial cavity and provide attachment sites for head and neck.

Facial bones

Bones that form the framework for the face and cavities for special senses.

Sutures

Joints that firmly lock most skull bones together.

Frontal bone

Shell-shaped bone that forms the anterior portion of the cranium.

Parietal bones

Two large bones that form the superior and lateral aspects of the skull.

Occipital bone

Bone that contains the foramen magnum, a large hole through which the brain connects with the spine.

Temporal bone

Paired bones that make up aspects of the skull and cranial base.

Mandible

Largest and strongest bone of the face.

Maxillary bone

Medially fused to form the upper jaw and facial skeleton.

Vertebral column

Extends from the skull to the pelvis and consists of 28 vertebrae broken into 5 regions.

Cervical vertebrae

7 vertebrae located in the neck region.

Thoracic vertebrae

12 vertebrae located in the upper back.

Lumbar vertebrae

5 vertebrae located in the lower back.

Scoliosis

Abnormal lateral rotation of the spine that can lead to breathing difficulties.

Kyphosis

Abnormal dorsal thoracic curvature, commonly seen in individuals with rickets and tuberculosis.

Lordosis

Accentuated lumbar curvature often resulting from disease or pregnancy.

Sternum

Also called the breastbone, it has three anatomical landmarks: jugular notch, eternal angle, and xiphisternal joint.

True ribs

Pairs 1-7 that attach directly to the sternum by costal cartilages.

False ribs

Pairs 8-10 that attach indirectly to the sternum.

Floating ribs

Pairs 11-12 that have no attachment to the sternum.

Pectoral girdle

Attaches the upper limbs to the body trunk.

Pelvic girdle

Attaches the lower limbs to the body trunk.

Femur

The largest and strongest bone in the body, located in the thigh.

Patella

A sesamoid bone that protects the knee joint.

Tarsus

Composed of 7 tarsal bones that carry weight.