The Skeleton

The axial skeleton includes the skull, ribs, sternum and vertebral column consisting of cervical—7 bones; thoracic—12 bones; lumbar—5 bones; sacral—5 bones (fused as 1); coccyx—4 bones (fused as 1).

The main functions of the axial skeleton are to protect organs such as the brain, lungs, and heart, to support the mass of the body, and to serve as attachment points for the appendicular skeleton and the muscular system.

The appendicular skeleton includes the pectoral(shoulder) girdle (scapulae and clavicles), humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, pelvic girdle (ilium, ischium, and pubis), femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges.

The main functions of the appendicular skeleton are locomotion and protection