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Axial Skeleton Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

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  • Number of bones in axial skeleton

    80 bones make up the axial skeleton.

  • Components of axial skeleton

    Includes the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

  • Functions of axial skeleton

    Supports and protects organs, provides muscle attachment, enables movement of head, neck, trunk, and helps breathing.

  • Number of bones in the skull

    The skull has 22 bones.

  • Difference between cranial and facial bones

    Cranial bones (8) protect the brain; facial bones (14) form the face structure.

  • Six main cranial bones

    Frontal, Parietal (2), Temporal (2), Occipital, Sphenoid, Ethmoid.

  • Function of occipital bone

    Forms the back of the skull.

  • Foramen magnum purpose

    Opening in occipital bone for the spinal cord to pass through.

  • Function of frontal bone

    Forms the forehead and eye sockets.

  • Function of temporal bones

    Protect the ear and assist in jaw movement.

  • Importance of sphenoid bone

    Connects all skull bones together.

  • Function of ethmoid bone

    Forms part of the nasal cavity.

  • Largest facial bone

    The maxilla is the largest facial bone.

  • Bone forming the lower jaw

    The mandible forms the lower jaw.

  • Cheekbone name

    The zygomatic bone forms the cheekbone.

  • Bones forming the nasal septum

    The vomer and ethmoid bones form the nasal septum.

  • What are sinuses?

    Air-filled spaces within the skull bones.

  • Three functions of sinuses

    Lighten the skull, trap particles with mucus, and help with voice resonance.

  • What are sutures?

    Immovable joints between skull bones.

  • Four major sutures of the skull

    Sagittal, Coronal, Lambdoid, and Squamous sutures.

  • Sagittal suture location

    Between the two parietal bones.

  • Coronal suture location

    Between the frontal and parietal bones.

  • Lambdoid suture location

    Between the parietal and occipital bones.

  • What are fontanelles?

    Soft spots in a baby’s skull that allow brain growth.

  • Number of bones in vertebral column

    The vertebral column has 26 bones.

  • Regions of vertebral column

    Cervical (7), Thoracic (12), Lumbar (5), Sacrum, Coccyx.

  • Primary spinal curves

    Thoracic and Sacral curves are primary (present at birth).

  • Secondary spinal curves

    Cervical and Lumbar curves develop after birth.

  • Name of C1 vertebra

    Atlas, which holds the skull.

  • Name of C2 vertebra

    Axis, which allows head rotation.

  • Function of dens (odontoid process)

    Acts as a pivot for head movement on the axis.

  • Function of vertebral body

    Supports weight of the body.

  • Function of vertebral foramen

    Passageway for the spinal cord.

  • Function of spinous process

    Attachment site for muscles.

  • Composition of intervertebral discs

    Made of fibrocartilage.

  • Function of intervertebral discs

    Provide shock absorption and flexibility to the spine.

  • Characteristic of cervical vertebrae

    Small size with large vertebral foramen.

  • Characteristic of thoracic vertebrae

    Have facets for rib attachment.

  • Characteristic of lumbar vertebrae

    Largest vertebrae, designed for weight bearing.

  • Sacrum composition

    Five fused vertebrae forming the sacrum.

  • Coccyx composition

    Three to five fused vertebrae forming the tailbone.

  • Components of thoracic cage

    Ribs, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae.

  • Function of thoracic cage

    Protects the heart and lungs.

  • True ribs

    Ribs 1–7, attach directly to the sternum.

  • False ribs

    Ribs 8–12, do not attach directly to the sternum.

  • Floating ribs

    Ribs 11–12, do not attach to the sternum at all.