Which parts of the body make up the appendicular skeleton?

The appendicular skeleton consists of the bones of the arms and legs together with the pectoral and pelvic girdles that attach them to the axis.

How many pairs of ribs are there in the human skeleton?

There are twelve pairs of ribs.

Which bones of the skull protect the brain?

The flat bones of the cranium form a rigid box around the brain and protect it.

Why are the bones of the cranium fused together in an adult?

Fusing them into immovable joints makes the braincase a single rigid unit that cannot be deformed or forced apart by a blow, which is the best protection for the tissue inside.

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Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy: Structure and Function of the Skeleton

The axial and appendicular skeleton

3 things to know
Component 3

Overview

Recall questions on which bones belong to each division, the skull, vertebral column and rib cage, the girdles and the limb bones, and why the two divisions are distinguished.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Why is the same basic limb plan found in animals as different as a human, a bat and a whale?

Key term

Which parts of the body make up the axial skeleton?

Key term

What is the sternum, and what attaches to it?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Which parts of the body make up the axial skeleton?
Model answer
The axial skeleton is the central axis of the body and consists of the skull, the vertebral column, the ribs and the sternum.
2
Which parts of the body make up the appendicular skeleton?
Model answer
The appendicular skeleton consists of the bones of the arms and legs together with the pectoral and pelvic girdles that attach them to the axis.
3
How many pairs of ribs are there in the human skeleton?
Model answer
There are twelve pairs of ribs.
4
What is the sternum, and what attaches to it?
Model answer
The sternum is the flat breastbone in the middle of the chest, and the costal cartilages of the upper ribs and the inner ends of the clavicles are attached to it.
5
Which bones of the skull protect the brain?
Model answer
The flat bones of the cranium form a rigid box around the brain and protect it.
6
Why are the bones of the cranium fused together in an adult?
Model answer
Fusing them into immovable joints makes the braincase a single rigid unit that cannot be deformed or forced apart by a blow, which is the best protection for the tissue inside.

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