Feb 15, 2011 - The Axial & Appendicular Skeleton

Reminder - Thursday 2/17 is the bone Histology Quiz

The Axial and Appendicular Skeleton together cover the following functions:

1. STRENGTH, SUPPORT AND SHAPE: It gives strength, support and shape to the body. Without a hard and rigid skeletal system, human body cannot stand upright, and it will become just a bag of soft tissues without any proper shape
2. PROTECTION OF DELICATE ORGANS: In areas like the rib cage and skull, the skeleton protects inner soft but vital organs like heart and brain from external shocks. Any damage to these organs can prove fatal, therefore protective function of skeleton is very important
3. LEVERAGE FOR MOVEMENTS: Bones of the human skeleton in all parts of body provide attachment to the muscles. These muscles provide motor power for producing movements of body parts. In these movements the parts of skeleton acts like levers of different types thus producing movements according to the needs of the human body.
4. PRODUCTION OF RED BLOOD CELLS: Bones like the sternum, and heads of tibia have hemopoeitic activity (blood cells production). These are the sites of production of new blood cells.

The Axial Skeleton

 

The axial skeleton:

• is made of the skull, spine, sacrum, and rib cage 
• allows various movements of the torso at the vertebrae but it is primarily for protection 
• has  80 of the 206 bones of the body

The Appendicular Skeleton

http://www.mananatomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/appendicular-skeleton.jpg

The appendicular skeleton:

• is made of the shoulder girdle, upper limbs (appendages), pelvic girdle,  and lower limbs
• is made primarily for leverage/movement/locomotion
• has  126 of the 206 bones of the body

Fun fact:  A popular theory regarding skeleton bones is that men have one less bone than women, owing to the Bible story that Eve was created from one of Adam's ribs. Both men and women actually possess 12 pairs of ribs. It is interesting to note; however, that should a rib need to be removed, it can regenerate itself within 3 months.