The Skeletal System

Understanding the Framework of the Human Body

What if humans had no bones?
What would happen if you did not have a
skeleton as shown?

Name at least three things you can and

cannot do if you have no bones.
 Skeletal system
The skeletal system consists of a framework of bones
and a few cartilages.
It plays a significant role in body movement.
Example:
Chewing is not possible without jaw bones.
Walking is not possible without limb bones.
Bone and cartilage are specialised connective tissues.
Bones have a hard matrix due to calcium salts.
Cartilage has a slightly flexible (pliable) matrix due to
chondroitin salts.
In human beings, the skeletal system
consists of 206 bones and a few
cartilages.
It is divided into two main parts:
Axial skeleton: forms the main axis of the
body; includes the skull, vertebral
column, ribs, and sternum. It supports
and protects vital organs like the brain,
heart, and lungs.
Appendicular skeleton: includes the
bones of limbs and the girdles (pectoral
and pelvic) that attach the limbs to the
axial skeleton; helps in movement and
locomotion.
 Human Skull – Composition
The human skull is made up of 22 bones in total.
These are grouped into two sets:
(i) Cranial bones – 8
(ii) Facial bones – 14
🧠 Cranial Bones(8bones) 🙂 Facial Bones (14 bones)
These bones enclose These bones form the structure of the face.
and protect the brain. Maxilla (upper jaw) – 2
Zygomatic (cheek bones) – 2
Frontal bone – 1
Palatine – 2
Parietal bones – 2
Nasal – 2
Temporal bones – 2 Lacrimal-2
Occipital bone – 1 inferior nasal conchae– 2
Sphenoid bone – 1 vomer– 1
Ethmoid bone – 1 Mandible (lower jaw) – 1
Total = 8 cranial bones Total = 14 facial bones
Hyoid bone: It is a U-shaped bone located at the base of the tongue that supports the tongue
and is not directly attached to any other [Link] below buccal cavity.

Middle ear bones: The three small bones — malleus, incus, and stapes — that transmit
sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner [Link] ear bones are also called ear
ossicles.

Sutures: These are immovable joints that tightly fuse the bones of the skull together.
Skull is dicondylic: It means the skull has two occipital condyles that articulate with
the first vertebra (atlas) of the vertebral column.

Occipital bone: It encloses a large opening called the foramen magnum, through which the
spinal cord passes to connect with the brain.
 Vertebral column
Forms a part of axial skeleton.
extends->mid-axis-->back of trunk.
The vertebral column is formed by 26 serially
arranged units called vertebrae.
It is dorsally placed (located along the back
side of the body).
The column extends from the base of the
skull and forms the main framework of the
trunk.
Each vertebra has a central hollow portion
called the neural canal, through which the
spinal cord passes.
The first vertebra is called the atlas, and it
articulates with the occipital condyles of the
skull.
 Vertebral column
The vertebral column is divided into five regions:
Cervical – 7 vertebrae
Thoracic – 12 vertebrae
Lumbar – 5 vertebrae
Sacral – 1 fused unit
Coccygeal – 1 fused unit
The number of cervical vertebrae (7) is constant
in almost all mammals, including humans.
Each vertebra consists of the following parts:
Neural canal – The hollow space in
each vertebra through which the
spinal cord passes.
Centrum (or modified notochord) –
The central solid part of the vertebra
that replaces the notochord and
provides strength.
Two lateral transverse processes –
Side projections from the vertebra for
muscle attachment and rib
articulation.
Mid-dorsal neural spine – A dorsal
projection formed by the union of the
neural arches of the vertebra.
 Vertebral column
Intervertebral disc – A
fibrocartilaginous pad
between adjacent
vertebrae that acts as a
shock absorber and
allows flexibility of the
spine.

2 neighbouring vertebrae articulate with each other

through their anterior n posterior
zygopophysis(joint between 2 adjacent vertebrae)
 Ribs and Sternum
Thoracic cage consists :
sternum,
12 pairs of ribs,
12 thoracic vertebrae, forming a bony framework that protects the heart and lungs.

Sternum/ breast bone

Flat and elongated bone in the mid-ventral chest
region.
Three parts – manubrium (upper), body (middle),
xiphoid process (lower).
Articulates with clavicles and first seven pairs of
ribs via costal cartilages.
Has a shallow notch (suprasternal notch) at the top
of the manubrium.
Provides protection to thoracic organs and support
for rib attachment.
 Ribs and Sternum
Ribs
Long, curved bones forming the lateral walls of the
thoracic cage.
Each rib is dorsally attached to a thoracic vertebra
and ventrally to the sternum (by costal hyaline
cartilage).
There are 12 pairs of ribs —
first 7 are true ribs,
3 are false ribs/vertebrochondral
last 2 are floating ribs.
Each rib has a head, neck, and shaft.
They protect the heart and lungs and help in
breathing movements.
 Appendicular skeleton
Appendicular skeleton: includes the bones of limbs and the girdles
(pectoral and pelvic) that attach the limbs to the axial skeleton; helps in
movement and locomotion.
Pectoral
Scapula
Flat, triangular bone present on the dorsal side
of the thorax between the 2nd and 7th ribs.
Has a spine on its posterior surface that ends in
the acromion process.
Possesses a glenoid cavity that articulates with
the head of the humerus to form the shoulder
joint.
Coracoid process projects forward above the
glenoid cavity for muscle attachment.
Provides attachment points for shoulder and
arm muscles.
 Appendicular skeleton
Clavicle:
Collar bone

Slender, S-shaped bone lying

horizontally at the base of the neck.
Connects the sternum (manubrium)
medially and the scapula (acromion
process) laterally.
 Pelvic girdle
The pelvic girdle is a bony structure
that connects the hind limbs (legs) to
the axial skeleton.
It is made up of two coxal (hip) bones.
Each coxal bone is formed by the
fusion of three bones:
Ilium
Ischium
Pubis
The two hip bones meet in front at the
pubic symphysis (a cartilaginous joint).
On the outer side of each coxal bone is
a deep cup-shaped cavity called the
acetabulum, which forms the socket
for the head of the femur (thigh bone).
 Bones of the hand/fore-limb
🦴Each forelimb is made up of 30 bones.
1 (Humerus) + 2 (Radius & Ulna) + 8 (Carpals) + 5 (Metacarpals) + 14 (Phalanges) = 30 bone
(a) Upper Arm:
1 bone: Humerus:It is the long bone of the upper arm.
Head of humerus fits into glenoid cavity of pectoral girdle forming shoulder joint
These form the [Link] distal end of the humerus bears two condyles — the trochlea and
capitulum — that articulate with the ulna and radius, respectively.
(b) Forearm:2 bones:
Radius (on the thumb side) Ulna (on the little finger side)
(c) Wrist:
8 small bones called Carpals. arranged in 2 rows of 4
(d) Palm:
5 bones called Metacarpals. These form the framework of the palm.
(e) Fingers (Digits):
14 bones called Phalanges. Each finger has 3 phalanges, except the thumb, which has 2.
articulates with metacarple -hinge joint
 Bones of the legs/hind-limb
Each hind limb consists of 30 bones, similar to the forelimb.1
(Femur) + 1 (Patella) + 2 (Tibia & Fibula) + 7 (Tarsals) + 5
(Metatarsals) + 14 (Phalanges) = 30 bones.
Thigh:1 bone – Femur (thigh bone)It is the longest and strongest
bone in the body.
The head of the femur fits into the acetabulum of the hip
bone, forming the hip joint.
The distal end of the femur has two articular condyles that
articulate with the tibia and patella to form the knee joint.
Leg :2 bones – Tibia and Fibula:
Tibia: Larger and medial bone of the leg.
Fibula: Slender and lateral bone.
Both together support the ankle and foot.
Ankle:
Made up of 7 tarsal bones, forming
the ankle region.
(d) Foot:
Contains 5 metatarsal bones
forming the arch of the foot.
Toes (Digits):
Have 14 phalanges (3 in each toe, 2
in the big toe).
 JOINTS
Joints are essential for all types of movements involving the bony
parts of the body. Locomotory movements are no exception to this.
Joints are points of contact between bones, or between bones and
cartilages.
Force generated by the muscles is used to carry out movement
through joints, where the joint acts as a fulcrum. The movability at
these joints varies depending on different factors.

Joints have been classified into three major

structural forms, namely – fibrous, cartilaginous, and
synovial.
Fibrous Joints:
These joints do not allow any movement.
This type of joint is shown by the flat skull bones, which fuse
end-to-end with the help of dense fibrous connective tissues in
the form of sutures, to form the cranium.

Cartilaginous Joints:
In these joints, the bones involved are joined together with the
help of cartilages.
The joint between the adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column
is of this pattern, and it permits limited movement.
Synovial Joints:
These joints are characterised by the presence of a fluid-filled synovial cavity
between the articulating surfaces of the two bones.
Such an arrangement allows considerable movement.
These joints help in locomotion and many other types of body movements.

Examples of Synovial Joints:

Ball and Socket Joint: Found between the humerus and pectoral girdle, or femur
and pelvic girdle. It allows movement in all directions.
Hinge Joint: Found in the knee and elbow; allows movement in one plane only,
like a door hinge.
Pivot Joint: Found between the atlas and axis vertebrae; allows rotational
movement of the head (as in shaking head “no”).
Gliding Joint: Found between the carpals of the wrist; allows sliding
movements.
Saddle Joint: Found between the carpal and metacarpal of the thumb; allows
movement in two planes, enabling thumb opposition (grasping).