Organization of the Skeleton

The bones of the body are categorized into two groups: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The bones of the axial skeleton revolve around the vertical axis of the skeleton, while the bones of the appendicular skeleton make up the limbs that have been appended to the axial skeleton. A list of the bones in the axial and appendicular skeletons is given in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. Major bones of both skeletons are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Major bones of the axial and appendicular skeletons.

figure
Table 1. Axial Skeleton Bones (80 Bones)

General Description

Name of Bone

No. of Bones

Additional Information

cranium (8)

frontal

parietal

temporal

sphenoid

ethmoid

occipital

1

2

2

1

1

1

 

facial bones (14)

mandible

maxilla

zygomatic bone

nasal bone

lacrimal bone

palatine

inferior nasal concha

vomer

1

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

lower jawbone

upper jawbone

cheek bones

hyoid

hyoid

1

 

ear ossicles

malleus, incus, stapes

6

2 each

vertebral column (26)

cervical vertebrae

thoracic vertebrae

lumbar vertebrae

sacrum

coccyx

7

12

5

1

1

C1–C7

T1–T12

L1–L5

5 fused S1–S5

3–5 fused

thorax (thoracic cage or bony thorax)

sternum

true ribs

false ribs

false ribs

(7 pair)

(3 pair)

(floating [2 pair] ribs)

1

14

6

4

vertebrosternal

vertebrochondral

vertebral ribs

Table 2. Appendicular Skeleton Bones (126 Bones)

General Description

Name of Bone

No. of Bones

Additional Information

pectoral girdle (shoulder girdle)

clavicle scapula

2

2

collarbone

shoulder blade

upper limb (60)

humerus

ulna

radius

carpals (16)

   1. scaphoid

   2. trapezium

   3. capitate

   4. trapezoid

   5. lunate

   6. triquetrum

   7. pisiform

   8. hamate

metacarpals

phalanges

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

10

28

1 per upper arm

1 per forearm

8 per wrist

5 in each hand

3 per digit (pollex has 2)

pelvic girdle (hip) (2)

coxal bones (os coxae)

   1. ilium

   2. ischium

   3. pubis

2

hip bones

(3 fused pairs)

lower limb (60)

femur

patella

tibia

fibula

2

2

2

2

1 per upper leg

1 per leg

1 per lower leg

1 per lower leg

tarsal (14)

   1. talus

   2. calcaneus

   3. cuboid

   4. navicular

   5. medial cuneiform

   6. intermediate cuneiform

   7. lateral cuneiform

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

7 per ankle

 

metatarsals

phalanges

10

28

5 per foot

3 per digit (hallux has 2)

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