Comprehensive Guide to Human Skeletal Anatomy

Components of the Human Skull and Facial Bones

• Frontal bone: The large bone forming the front part of the skull and the forehead.
• Parietal bone: Located on the side and roof of the cranium.
• Occipital bone: Forms the back and base of the skull.
• Temporal bone: Situated at the sides and base of the skull, containing the structures of the ears.
• Nasal bone: Two small oblong bones that form the bridge of the nose.
• Zygomatic bone: Often referred to as the cheekbone or malar bone.
• Maxilla: The upper jawbone, which also forms part of the nose and eye orbit.
• Mandible: The lower jawbone; the only movable bone of the skull.

The Axial Skeleton: Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage

• Vertebral Structures:
  • $1^{st}$ cervical vertebra: Known as the atlas, it supports the skull.
  • $2^{nd}$ cervical vertebra: Known as the axis, it allows for rotational movement of the head.
  • $7^{th}$ cervical vertebra: The last of the cervical vertebrae in the neck region.
  • $1^{st}$ thoracic vertebra: The highest vertebra in the thoracic region.
  • $12^{th}$ thoracic vertebra: The lowest vertebra in the thoracic region.
  • $1^{st}$ lumbar vertebra: The first of the large vertebrae in the lower back.
  • $5^{th}$ lumbar vertebra: The final lumbar vertebra leading into the sacrum.
  • Sacrum: A triangular bone at the base of the lumbar vertebrae.
  • Coccyx: The terminal end of the vertebral column, often called the tailbone.
• Thoracic Cage:
  • Sternum: The breastbone, located in the center of the chest.
  • $1^{st}$ rib: The uppermost rib connected to the $1^{st}$ thoracic vertebra.
  • $12^{th}$ rib: The lowest rib, often referred to as a floating rib.

The Appendicular Skeleton: Shoulder Girdle and Upper Limbs

• Shoulder Girdle:
  • Clavicle: Commonly known as the collarbone.
  • Scapula: The shoulder blade.
• Upper Arm:
  • Humerus: The long bone of the upper arm.
• Forearm:
  • Radius: The lateral bone of the forearm (on the thumb side).
  • Ulna: The medial bone of the forearm (on the pinky side).
• Hand Anatomy:
  • Carpal (wrist) bones: A group of small bones that make up the wrist.
  • Metacarpal bones: The bones of the palm.
  • Phalanges of the thumb:
    • Proximal phalanx of thumb.
    • Distal phalanx of thumb.
  • Phalanges of the fingers:
    • Proximal phalanges.
    • Middle phalanges.
    • Distal phalanges.

The Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb Structures

• Pelvic Girdle (Hipbone):
  • Ilium: The largest and uppermost part of the hipbone.
  • Pubis: The most forward-facing part of the hipbone.
  • Ischium: The lower and back part of the hipbone.
• Lower Extremities:
  • Femur: The thigh bone; it is the longest and strongest bone in the body.
  • Patella: The kneecap.
  • Leg (Lower portion):
    • Tibia: The larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg (shinbone).
    • Fibula: The smaller, lateral bone of the leg.

Anatomy of the Foot and Ankle

• Tarsus (Ankle region):
  • Talus: The bone that makes up the lower part of the ankle joint.
  • Calcaneus: The heel bone.
  • Lateral cuneiform bone: One of the bones of the tarsal group.
• Metatarsal bones: The bones of the midfoot.
• Phalanges of the toes:
  • Proximal phalanges.
  • Middle phalanges.
  • Distal phalanges of toes.

Source Credit

• Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.