MEET THE MAJOR BONES
The human skeleton is made up of many bones working together to support the body. It is divided into two main parts: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.
The human skull consists of 22 bones (or 29, including the inner ear bones and hyoid bone) that are mostly connected together by fibrous joints, so-called sutures.
The wrist and hand are the most distal parts of the upper limb. These bones are divided into three groups:
Carpal bones: eight short bones arranged into proximal and distal rows (4 each).
Metacarpal bones: five long bones, each form the root of the corresponding digit.
Phalanges: fourteen long bones subdivided into three sets: proximal, middle and distal.
The human foot contains 26 bones that are divided into 3 groups.
Tarsal bones: consist of seven irregularly shaped bones, homologous to the carpal bones of the hand.
Metatarsal bones: five long metatarsal bones which are equivalent to the metacarpals of the hand.
Phalanges bones: Identical manner to which the phalanges of the hand form the fingers. The lateral four toes are made up of three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal), while the great toe consists of only two phalanges (proximal and distal).
The vertebral column (spine) is composed of 33-35 vertebrae, 24 of which are separated by intervertebral discs; the remaining vertebrae are usually fused to compose two respective bones, the sacrum and coccyx.
The vertebral column is divided into five regions: (from superior to inferior) the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal regions.
The bones of the upper limb can be divided into the following groups:
Pectoral (shoulder) girdle and arm, consisting of the clavicle, scapula and humerus
Bones of the forearm, namely the radius and ulna
Bones of the hand, divided into the 8 carpal bones, 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges.
Lower limb into divided into the following groups:
Pelvic girdle and thigh, consisting of the hip bone and femur
Bones of the leg, namely the tibia and fibula
Bones of the foot, divided into the 7 tarsal bones, 5 metatarsal bones and 14 phalanges
TYPES OF BONES
Bones come in different shapes and sizes and each type has a special function. Each type helps the body in different way from movement and support to protection and stability. Together, they form the complete human skeleton.
JOINTS IN HUMAN BODY
Joints are the places where two or more bones meet. They connect bones together, provide stability and allow the body to move. Depending on their structure and range of motion, joints are classified into different types. The six main types of synovial joints are shown below, each allowing a unique type of movement.
AMAZING BONE FACTS
Now let’s see if you can put the skeleton together!