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2-3-2. Divisions of the Skeletal SystemLearning Objectives
The skeletal system includes all of the bones, cartilages, and ligaments of the body that support and give shape to the body and body structures. The In addition to providing for support and movements of the body, the skeleton has protective and storage functions. It protects the internal organs, including the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, and pelvic organs. The bones of the skeleton serve as the primary storage site for important minerals such as calcium and phosphate. The bone marrow found within bones stores fat and houses the blood-cell producing tissue of the body. The skeleton is subdivided into two major divisions—the axial and appendicular. The Axial SkeletonThe skeleton is subdivided into two major divisions—the axial and appendicular. The The axial skeleton of the adult consists of 80 bones, including the
Axial and Appendicular Skeleton
![]() Figure 1: The axial skeleton supports the head, neck, back, and chest and thus forms the vertical axis of the body. It consists of the skull, vertebral column (including the sacrum and coccyx), and the thoracic cage, formed by the ribs and sternum. The appendicular skeleton is made up of all bones of the upper and lower limbs. The Appendicular SkeletonThe Chapter ReviewThe skeletal system includes all of the bones, cartilages, and ligaments of the body. It serves to support the body, protect the brain and other internal organs, and provides a rigid structure upon which muscles can pull to generate body movements. It also stores fat and the tissue responsible for the production of blood cells. The skeleton is subdivided into two parts. The axial skeleton forms a vertical axis that includes the head, neck, back, and chest. It has 80 bones and consists of the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage. The adult vertebral column consists of 24 vertebrae plus the sacrum and coccyx. The thoracic cage is formed by 12 pairs of ribs and the sternum. The appendicular skeleton consists of 126 bones in the adult and includes all of the bones of the upper and lower limbs plus the bones that anchor each limb to the axial skeleton. Review QuestionsExercise 1Which of the following is part of the axial skeleton?
Show/Hide Solution D Exercise 2Which of the following is a function of the axial skeleton?
Show/Hide Solution C Exercise 3The axial skeleton ________.
Show/Hide Solution B Critical Thinking QuestionExercise 4Define the two divisions of the skeleton. Show/Hide Solution The axial skeleton forms the vertical axis of the body and includes the bones of the head, neck, back, and chest of the body. It consists of 80 bones that include the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage. The appendicular skeleton consists of 126 bones and includes all bones of the upper and lower limbs. Exercise 5Discuss the functions of the axial skeleton. Show/Hide Solution The axial skeleton supports the head, neck, back, and chest of the body and allows for movements of these body regions. It also gives bony protections for the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs; stores fat and minerals; and houses the blood-cell producing tissue. Glossaryappendicular skeleton axial skeleton coccyx ear ossicles hyoid bone ribs sacrum skeleton skull sternum thoracic cage vertebra vertebral column
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