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Anatomy & Physiology: Skeletal System Overview

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What are the two structural divisions of the skeleton?

    The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage. The appendicular skeleton includes the pectoral girdle, upper limbs, pelvic girdle, and lower limbs.

  • What is the function of bone markings?

    Bone markings serve as sites for muscle attachment, joint formation, and passageways for nerves and blood vessels.

  • Name the types of cartilage tissues found in the skeletal system.

    The skeletal system contains hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage, and elastic cartilage.

  • What are the main functions of cranial bones?

    Cranial bones protect the brain, provide attachment sites for head and neck muscles, and form the structure of the skull.

  • What are sutures in the skull?

    Sutures are immovable joints that unite the cranial bones, such as the coronal, sagittal, lambdoid, and squamous sutures.

  • What is the function of the facial bones?

    Facial bones support the eyes, provide attachment for facial muscles, and form the nasal cavity and oral cavity.

  • What is unique about the hyoid bone?

    The hyoid bone does not articulate with any other bone and supports the tongue and neck muscles.

  • Describe the structural features of the orbit.

    The orbit is a bony cavity formed by several facial and cranial bones that houses and protects the eye.

  • What is the function of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses?

    They warm, moisten, and filter air; the sinuses also lighten the skull and enhance voice resonance.

  • How does the fetal skull differ from the adult skull?

    The fetal skull has fontanelles (soft spots) and more flexible sutures to allow brain growth and passage through the birth canal.

  • What are the curvatures of the vertebral column?

    The vertebral column has four curvatures: cervical and lumbar (concave posteriorly), thoracic and sacral (convex posteriorly).

  • Compare the three classes of vertebrae.

    Cervical vertebrae are small with transverse foramina; thoracic vertebrae have facets for ribs; lumbar vertebrae are large and support weight.

  • What is the sacrum and coccyx?

    The sacrum is a fused set of vertebrae forming the back of the pelvis; the coccyx is the tailbone, formed by fused vertebrae.

  • What is the structure and function of intervertebral discs?

    Intervertebral discs are fibrocartilage pads that absorb shock and allow flexibility between vertebrae.

  • Describe the bones of the thoracic cage.

    The thoracic cage includes the sternum, ribs, and thoracic vertebrae; it protects the heart and lungs and supports respiration.

  • What bones make up the pectoral girdle?

    The pectoral girdle consists of the clavicle and scapula, which attach the upper limbs to the axial skeleton.

  • What are the main bones of the upper limb?

    The upper limb includes the humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges.

  • What bones form the pelvic girdle?

    The pelvic girdle is formed by two hip bones (each made of ilium, ischium, and pubis) that attach the lower limbs to the axial skeleton.

  • How do adult male and female pelvic bones differ?

    Female pelvis is wider, shallower, and has a larger pelvic inlet for childbirth; male pelvis is narrower and taller.

  • What bones make up the thigh, leg, ankle, and foot?

    The thigh has the femur; the leg has the tibia and fibula; the ankle and foot include tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges.