<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Human Skeleton

  • Humans have an internal skeleton made of bone, cartilage and connective tissue.
    Human skeleton from the back
Human skeleton from the front

Axial skeleton

This part of the skeleton consists of the skull comprising the cranium, facial bones, foramen magnum, palate and jaws, vertebral column, rib cage andbreastbone(sternum)

Axial skeleton animation

http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=AP12904

The skull: consists of the cranium and facial bones

  • The cranium consists of eight flat bones joined together by immovable joints called sutures. The cranium surrounds and protects the brain.
  • There is a large opening at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum through which the spinal cord passes
  • On either side of the foramen magnum is a projection or condyle which articulate with the first vertebra (called the atlas) to give the nodding movement of the head
  • There are 15 facial bones. These are irregular bones that include cheek nasal , temple and upper and lower jaw bones. The only movable bone is the lower jaw.
  • The upper and lower jaws bear the sockets for the 32 permanent teeth.
  • The number, type and arrangement of the teeth in an animal is indicated by a dental formula The human dental formula is: 2.1.2.3

2.1.2.3

This formula represents the numbers of each type of tooth in half of the upper jaw and half of the lower jaw. This formula tells us that in both the upper andlower halves there are 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars and 3 molars. Therefore in the whole jaw there are 8 incisors, 4 canines 8 premolars and 12molars, a total of 32 teeth in all.

The vertebral column : Consists of 33 vertebrae

The vertebral columns is divided into five regions

  • A cervical (neck) region consisting of 7 vertebrae. The first of these called the atlas supports the skull and the joint with the skull allows for the nodding movement of the head.

The 2 nd vertebra called the axis has a projection oo which the atlas pivots to give the side to side movement of the head.

  • A thoracic region (chest) of 12 vertebrae each of which bears a pair of ribs
  • A lumbar region (lower back) the largest vertebrae as they carry the weight of the body
  • A sacral region consisting of 5 fused vertebrae forming a bone called the sacrum that forms part of the pelvic girdle which provides for the attachment of muscles and the legs.
  • A coccyx made up of 4 fused bones. These bones form the tail in those mammals that have tails.
  • The vertebrae join up to each other in such a way that there is a continuous spinal canal which runs from the base of the skull to the pelvic girdle. This canal contains the spinal cord.
  • Between the vertebrae are discs of fibrocartilage which prevent friction between vertebrae and act as shock absorbers duringwalking, running and jumping.
  • Spinal nerves are able to enter and leave the spinal cord through gaps between adjacent vertebrae.
  • Strong ligaments and muscles around the spine stabilise the vertebrae and help to control movement.

CURVES OF THE SPINE

When viewed from the side the vertebral column can be seen to have four curves, with the cervical and lumbar regions curving forwards while the thoracic and sacral regions curve backwards.

Questions & Answers

what is microbiology
Agebe Reply
What is a cell
Odelana Reply
what is cell
Mohammed
how does Neisseria cause meningitis
Nyibol Reply
what is microbiologist
Muhammad Reply
what is errata
Muhammad
is the branch of biology that deals with the study of microorganisms.
Ntefuni Reply
What is microbiology
Mercy Reply
studies of microbes
Louisiaste
when we takee the specimen which lumbar,spin,
Ziyad Reply
How bacteria create energy to survive?
Muhamad Reply
Bacteria doesn't produce energy they are dependent upon their substrate in case of lack of nutrients they are able to make spores which helps them to sustain in harsh environments
_Adnan
But not all bacteria make spores, l mean Eukaryotic cells have Mitochondria which acts as powerhouse for them, since bacteria don't have it, what is the substitution for it?
Muhamad
they make spores
Louisiaste
what is sporadic nd endemic, epidemic
Aminu Reply
the significance of food webs for disease transmission
Abreham
food webs brings about an infection as an individual depends on number of diseased foods or carriers dully.
Mark
explain assimilatory nitrate reduction
Esinniobiwa Reply
Assimilatory nitrate reduction is a process that occurs in some microorganisms, such as bacteria and archaea, in which nitrate (NO3-) is reduced to nitrite (NO2-), and then further reduced to ammonia (NH3).
Elkana
This process is called assimilatory nitrate reduction because the nitrogen that is produced is incorporated in the cells of microorganisms where it can be used in the synthesis of amino acids and other nitrogen products
Elkana
Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu Reply
Give Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu
advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal Reply
Prevent foreign microbes to the host
Abubakar
they provide healthier benefits to their hosts
ayesha
They are friends to host only when Host immune system is strong and become enemies when the host immune system is weakened . very bad relationship!
Mark
what is cell
faisal Reply
cell is the smallest unit of life
Fauziya
cell is the smallest unit of life
Akanni
ok
Innocent
cell is the structural and functional unit of life
Hasan
is the fundamental units of Life
Musa
what are emergency diseases
Micheal Reply
There are nothing like emergency disease but there are some common medical emergency which can occur simultaneously like Bleeding,heart attack,Breathing difficulties,severe pain heart stock.Hope you will get my point .Have a nice day ❣️
_Adnan
define infection ,prevention and control
Innocent
I think infection prevention and control is the avoidance of all things we do that gives out break of infections and promotion of health practices that promote life
Lubega
Heyy Lubega hussein where are u from?
_Adnan
en français
Adama
which site have a normal flora
ESTHER Reply
Many sites of the body have it Skin Nasal cavity Oral cavity Gastro intestinal tract
Safaa
skin
Asiina
skin,Oral,Nasal,GIt
Sadik
How can Commensal can Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
How can Commensal Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
all
Tesfaye
by fussion
Asiina
what are the advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal
what are the ways of control and prevention of nosocomial infection in the hospital
Micheal
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Siyavula: life sciences grade 10. OpenStax CNX. Apr 11, 2012 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11410/1.3
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Siyavula: life sciences grade 10' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask