Lecture Notes: The Skeletal System

Introduction

• Objective: Learn all the bones of the skeleton.
• Sections:
  • Axial skeleton
  • Appendicular skeleton
• Includes a self-quiz at the end.

Axial Skeleton

• Skull

  • Houses the brain.
  • Consists of several bones joined together as one matures.
  • Bones and corresponding lobes:
    • Frontal bone
    • Parietal bones
    • Occipital bone
    • Temporal bones
  • Maxilla (upper jaw) and Mandible (lower jaw).

• Sternum

  • Central breastbone.
  • Connection point for ribs via costal cartilage.

• Ribs

  • 12 pairs in total.
  • Categories:
    • True ribs (5 pairs) - direct connection to the sternum.
    • False ribs (5 pairs) - indirect connection through shared cartilage.
    • Floating ribs (2 pairs) - no front connection.

• Vertebrae

  • Cervical vertebrae (8)
  • Thoracic vertebrae (12)
  • Lumbar vertebrae (5)
  • Sacrum
  • Coccyx (tailbone)

Appendicular Skeleton

• Shoulder and Arms

  • Clavicles (collarbones)
  • Scapula (shoulder blades)
  • Humerus (upper arm bone)
  • Radius (thumb side of forearm) and Ulna (pinky side)
  • Hand bones:
    • Carpals (wrist)
    • Metacarpals (hand)
    • Phalanges (fingers)

• Pelvic Girdle and Legs

  • Pelvis and Pubic Symphysis (cartilage)
  • Femur (thigh bone)
  • Patella (kneecap)
  • Tibia (shin bone) and Fibula (smaller leg bone)
  • Foot bones:
    • Calcaneus (heel)
    • Tarsals (ankle)
    • Metatarsals (mid-foot)
    • Phalanges (toes)

Review

• Axial Skeleton
  • Skull
  • Vertebrae
  • Ribs and Sternum
• Appendicular Skeleton
  • Arms and Legs
• Self-quiz: Identify bones from a blank diagram.

Conclusion

• Axial skeleton: Protects vital organs (brain, heart, lungs).
• Appendicular skeleton: Facilitates movement (arms and legs).