Chapter 7, Problem 7.1.1AYLO

The distinction between the axial and appendicular skeletons

Summary Introduction

To write:

About the distinction between the axial and appendicular skeletons.

Introduction:

The skeletal system is divided into two regions, namely, the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The main difference is that the axial skeleton forms the central supporting axis of the body which includes the skull, vertebral column and the thoracic cage (the ribs and the sternum). The appendicular skeleton includes the bones in the upper limb, pectoral girdle, bones of the lower limb and pelvic girdle.

Explanation of Solution

The axial skeleton holds 80 bones, which includes the bones of the head and trunk of the vertebrae. The axial skeleton is composed of five divisions, which are the skull bones (cranial bones and facial bones), the auditory ossicles, hyoid bone, vertebral column (cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacrum and coccyx) and the thoracic cage.

The appendicular system is the part of the skeletal system which consists of the bones that support the appendages which hold a majority number of bones, with a total of 126 bones. This system includes the skeletal elements of the upper and lower limbs, pectoral girdle and pelvic girdle.

Conclusion

The axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton together form the entire skeletal system, which has a total number of 206 bones.