axial skeleton
the bones that form the body’s longitudinal axis
The axial skeleton is a part of the human skeleton that consists of 80 bones. This includes the bones of the skull, vertebral column, and the thoracic cage (rib cage). These bones are responsible for providing support to the body, protecting delicate organs, and allowing for movement.
The skull includes the cranium and facial bones. The cranium protects the brain and consists of eight bones. The facial bones include 14 bones that make up the face and the mandible or the lower jaw bone.
The vertebral column includes 33 small irregular bones called the vertebrae. These bones are divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal. The vertebral column provides support to the body and protects the spinal cord. The cervical vertebrae (C1-C7) are in the neck region, the thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12) are in the upper back region, the lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5) are in the lower back region, the sacral vertebrae (S1-S5) are fused and located in the pelvic region, and the coccygeal vertebrae (Co1-Co4) are fused to form the tailbone.
Lastly, the thoracic cage consists of the sternum and 12 pairs of ribs. The ribs protect the lungs and heart and connect to the thoracic vertebrae.
Overall, the axial skeleton is crucial for protecting and supporting various important organs in the body while allowing for movement.
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