Anatomy

Turtle skeletons are actually really close to human's.

Below is a detailed picture and information about the outside anatomy of a turtle. Scroll down to look at a plastron anatomy diagram.

Nuchal shell: a hard plate that forms the shell of the turtle close to the nape of the neck. It protects the head, when inside the shell, from any predator wanting to eat the turtle.
Vertebral shell: a scale above the turtle’s spinal column that protects the turtle’s back.
Costal shell: side scales.
Pygal shield: a scale situated above the tail.
Marginal shell: each of the scales that form the edge of the turtle’s shell.
Mandible: lower jaw
Tail: extension of the spinal column of a turtle.

Turtle appearance can be easily identified by its shell. The shell plays a vital part in protection. Not much has changed in over 200 million years of evolution, turtle shell form and function is still the same.
Shell is divided in two parts. The upper part is called the carapace and the bottom the plastron.
On the turtle’s side, plastron and carapace are joined together with bony structures called bridges. The inner layer of the shell is made out of bones, including the backbone and the ribs. That basically means that the turtle can’t leave the shell.
A turtle’s shell is covered with bony scales (also called scutes). These scales are made of keratin, a substance found in the hair and nails of other animals. Melanin in scutes is the reason for various pigmentations and different designs on the varied species of turtles.

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