Axial Skeleton

This portion of the skeleton can be divided into the following areas:

· Skull
· Bony Thorax
· Spinal/Vertebral Column

The Skull comprises all the bones of the head and is Formed of 2 major areas:

· Cranial Bones
· Facial Bones

Bones of the skull articulate (join) at SUTURES. The Skull is the most complex bony structure of the body because: 1) Encloses the brain; 2) Houses the organs of special sense; 3) Encloses the openings into the Digestive and Respiratory tracts. Related to the bones of the head, is the Hyoid Bone. It is the only bone in the body which doesn't articulate with another bone. Bony Thorax This area of the skeleton is made up of: Sternum - which is formed from 3 bones:

1. Manubrium
2. Body
3. Xiphoid Process

Ribs -These form the walls of the Thoracic Cage. There are 12 pairs of ribs: 1st 7 pairs = True Ribs, as they attach directly to the Sternum; Next 5 Pairs = False Ribs, as they have indirect connections, if at all, to the Sternum; Last 2 Ribs = Floating Ribs, as they lack any Sternal Attachments.