PARTS OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

Axial skeleton
The axial skeleton (80 bones) is formed
by the vertebral column (3234 bones; the
number of the vertebrae differs from human to
human as the lower 2 parts, sacral and
coccygeal bone may vary in length), the rib
cage (12 pairs of ribs and the sternum), and
the skull (22 bones and 7 associated bones).
The upright posture of humans is
maintained by the axial skeleton, which
transmits the weight from the head, the trunk,
and the upper extremities down to the lower
extremities at the hip joints. The bones of the
spine are supported by many ligaments.
The erectors
spinae muscles
are
also
supporting and are useful for balance.
A human is able to survive with just the
axial portion of their skeleton.
Appendicular skeleton
The appendicular skeleton (126 bones)
is formed by the pectoral girdles, the upper limbs, the pelvic girdle or pelvis, and the
lower limbs. Their functions are to make locomotion possible and to protect the major
organs of digestion, excretion and reproduction.
JOINTS
A joint is the connection between two bones. The skeletal system is made of
different types of joints, including fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial. A ligament holds
fibrous joints together. Cartilage joints are bones held together with a connection of
cartilage. A synovial capsule surrounds the synovial joints. Synovial joints are the
largest number of joint types in the skeletal system. Each joint type has a specific
method of movement.

Fibrous Joint

The fibrous (fixed or immovable) joints in the skeletal system include the sutures
of the skull. The coronal suture connects the parietal and frontal skull bones. The

sagittal suture connects the two parietal bones. The lambdoid suture unites the parietal
with the occipital.

Cartilaginous Joint

Cartilaginous joints are partially movable joints consisting of symphyses or

synchondroses joints. Examples of cartilagenous types of joints include the rib cage and
the spinal column.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

A ball-and-socket joint as one in which the rounded surface of a bone fits into and
moves within a cup-shaped depression. Examples of this type of synovial joint are the
hip and shoulder joints. The ball-and-socket joint allows freedom of movement up,
down, right, left and in a full 360-degree rotation.

Hinged Joint

Hinged joints include the elbow, fingers, toes and knee. Movement occurs in only
one direction or one plane. The hinged joint in the knee is unusual because it allows the
knee to swivel, turning the foot from side to side.

Gliding Joint

Gliding joints allow two or more flat or slightly

together without friction or grinding. The function of a
such as smooth sliding of bone past bone, bending,
Examples of gliding joints include the forearm to wrist
joint.

rounded bones to move easily

gliding joint is to allow motions
stretching and circular motion.
joint and the lower leg to ankle

Pivot Joint

A pivot joint is a synovial joint designed with one end fitting like a cylinder inside a
ring. Pivot joints at the base of the skull allow the head to rotate. Other pivot points allow
the rotation of the palm.

Condyloid Joint

Condyloid joints are biaxial joints that permit up, down and side-to-side motions.
Medical-look.com lists the radiocarpal joint in the wrist as an example of a condyloid
joint.

Saddle Joint

The saddle joint is a biaxial joint that allows movement on two planes-flexion/extension and abduction/adduction. The thumb is the only bone structure in the
human body with a saddle joint.