 Axial Skeleton

Skull-The skull is a bony structure in the head of most vertebrates that supports the structures of the face and
forms a protective cavity for the brain. The skull is composed of two parts: the cranium and the mandible. The
skull forms the anterior most portion of the skeleton and is a product of encephalization, housing the brain,
many sensory structures (eyes, ears, nasal cavity), and the feeding system.

Ball and Socket Joint-type of synovial joint in which the ball-shaped surface of one rounded bone fits into the
cup-like depression of another bone. The distal bone is capable of motion around an indefinite number of
axes, which have one common center. It enables the bone to move in many places

Humerus- long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow. It connects
the scapula and the two bones of the lower arm, the radius and ulna, and consists of three sections.

Pelvis- (plural pelvises) is either the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the thighs (sometimes
also called pelvic region of the trunk) or the skeleton embedded in it]. (sometimes also called bony pelvis,
or pelvic skeleton).

Knee- joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the femur and tibia, and one
between the femur and patella It is the largest joint in the human body. The knee is a mobile trocho-
ginglymus (a hinge joint), which permits flexion and extension as well as slight internal and external rotation.

Tibia- also known as the shinbone or shankbone, is the larger and stronger of the twobones in the leg below
the knee in vertebrates (the other being the fibula), and it connects the knee with the ankle bones.

Vertebra- In the vertebrate spinal column, each vertebra is an irregular bone with a complex structure
composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, the proportions of which vary according to the segment of
the backbone and the species of vertebrate.

Sternum- he sternum or breastbone is a long flat bone shaped like a necktie located in the center of
the chest. It connects to the ribs viacartilage, forming the front of the rib cage, and thus helps to protect
the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury. The sternum consists of three regions: the manubrium,
the body, and the xiphoid process.

Ribs- are the long curved bones which form the rib cage. In most tetrapods, ribs surround the chest, enabling
the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the chest cavity. They serve to protect
the lungs,heart, and other internal organs of the thorax. In some animals, especially snakes, ribs may provide
support and protection for the entire body.

Ulna- is one of the two long bones in the forearm (the other is the radius). It extends from the elbow to
the wrist and runs parallel to the radius, which it exceeds in length and size. In anatomical position, when the
arms are down at the sides of the body and the palms of the hands face forward, the ulna is located at the
side of the forearm closest to the body (the medial side). The bone may break due to excessive weight or
impact.

Femur- is the most proximal (closest to the center of the body) bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable
of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards,
and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only
in the rear legs

Fibula- a leg bone located on the lateral side of the tibia, with which it is connected above and below. It is the
smaller of the two bones, and, in proportion to its length, the slenderest of all the long bones. Its upper
extremity is small, placed toward the back of the head of the tibia, below the level of the knee joint, and
excluded from the formation of this joint. Its lower extremity inclines a little forward, so as to be on a plane
anterior to that of the upper end; it projects below the tibia, and forms the lateral part of the ankle-joint.

excluded from the formation of this joint. Its lower extremity inclines a little forward, so as to be on a plane
anterior to that of the upper end; it projects below the tibia, and forms the lateral part of the ankle-joint.