Skeletal System Notes

Skeletal System

Overview

The human skeleton is composed of 206 individual bones. It provides calcium and is divided into two main parts: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.

Axial Skeleton

The axial skeleton includes the bones of the head and trunk. Key components are:

• Skull
• Sternum
• Ribs
• Spinal column (Vertebral column)

Appendicular Skeleton

The appendicular skeleton comprises the bones of the limbs, including:

• Shoulder girdle
  • Clavicle (collar bone)
  • Scapula (shoulder blade)
• Arms and hands
  • Humerus
  • Radius
  • Ulna
  • Carpals
  • Metacarpals
  • Phalanges
• Pelvis
• Legs and feet
  • Femur
  • Patella
  • Tibia
  • Fibula
  • Calcaneus
  • Tarsals
  • Metatarsals
  • Phalanges

Vertebral Column

The vertebral column is a crucial part of the axial skeleton, composed of several types of vertebrae:

• Cervical vertebrae: There are seven cervical vertebrae in the neck. Interestingly, a giraffe also has seven cervical vertebrae, despite its long neck.
• Thoracic vertebrae: There are twelve thoracic vertebrae.
• Lumbar vertebrae: There are five lumbar vertebrae.
• Sacral vertebrae: There are five sacral vertebrae.
• Coccygeal vertebrae: There are four coccygeal vertebrae.