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.:The skeleton is an icon that is easily aknowledged in almost every person's life. The mere
sight of it screams what its true purpose is: Structure. However, it is easily understandable how the true wonder of how structural
the skeleton really is could pass by somebody. 206 bones make up our integrity, and countless more structures help make our
skeletons complete. The skeleton is broken into two main denominations: Axial and Appendicular.
.:The Axial Skeleton is what holds the trunk of the body together. In the Skull, there are many
different bones that contruct the basis for the face, jaw and cranium. Some examples of bone sin the face are; Lacrimal bone,
Ethmoid bone, Sphenoid bone, Zygomatic bone and many others.
Also Included in the axial skeleton is the vertebrae. This is the literal backbone
of the body. Each vertebrae is nique in its particular size, however they gradually get bigger and more supportive as they
reach the base. SOme sgtructure deviate, but they have a basic structure of; body, pedastle, transverse process and
spinal process. They are held together with fibrocartilage. Other bones of the spine are the sacrum and the coccyx, otherwise
known as the butt-bone.
The last part of the axial skeleton are the ribs and sternum. There are 12 pairs of ribs on
the average adult human. 7 of these articulate directly to the sternum, 3 articular via cartilage links, and the final two
pairs don't articulate at the front.
The sternum itself is broken into three parts, the manubrium, body and xiphoid process.
.:The second denomination of the skeleton is the appendicular skeleton. This part contain all appendage bones and
the bones that make up thier girdles.
In the arms, the skeleton articulaes between the glennoid process of the scapula, the lateral
portion of the clavicle, and the head of the humerus. Each arm contains a humerus, radius, ulna and respective carpals, metacarpals
and phalanges.
The legs are very similar in structure to the arms. They have a superior bone that articulates
with the girdle, and a pair of supportive bones inferior to that. The head of the femur articulates with with acetablum
of the hip. Each leg has a femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, meta tarsals and phalanges. Seem familiar? It is. The only
real difference is the presence of the patella, or kneecap.
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