Skeletal System Overview

Study Notes

Anatomy and Physiology text helpful throughout semester
Online resources for specific bone groups (skull, thoracic cage, vertebral column, pectoral girdle, upper limb, pelvic girdle, and lower limb).

The neurocranium is the upper and back part of the skull, protecting the brain.
It's also known as the braincase or brainpan.
Bones of the neurocranium: ethmoid, frontal, parietal, occipital, sphenoid, and temporal bones.

The viscerocranium forms the face and jaw, also known as the facial skeleton.
Bones of the viscerocranium: 14 bones (6 paired and 2 unpaired): inferior nasal conchae, nasal bones, maxillae, palatine bones, lacrimal bones, zygomatic bones, mandible, and vomer.

True ribs (1-7): directly connected to the sternum via costal cartilage
False ribs (8-10): connected indirectly to the sternum by connecting to the cartilage of rib 7
Floating ribs (11-12): unconnected to the sternum or the cartilage of rib 7

Carpal bones: Scaphoid, lunate, triquetral, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate, pisiform.
Metacarpals: 1-5 (numbered starting from the thumb)
Phalanges: Proximal, middle, distal (digits 2-5, 3 segments, 2 in the thumb)

Tarsal bones: Talus, calcaneus, navicular, medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform, lateral cuneiform, cuboid
Metatarsals: 1-5 numbered starting from the big toe.
Phalanges: Proximal, middle, and distal (digits 2-5), proximal and distal (great toe)

Projections, depressions, or holes found on bone surfaces.
Important for bone identification, joint formation, muscle attachment, and nerve/vessel passage.
Two main categories: Projections and Depressions & Holes.
Examples of Projections are Condyle, Epicondyle, Process, Protuberance, Tubercle, Tuberosity, Trochanter, Spine, Linea, Facet, Crests, and Ridges
Examples of Depressions & Holes are Foramen, Fissure, Meatus, Fossa, Fovea, Incisure, Sulcus, and Sinus. More specifically, notches, meatuses, and external acoustic meatuses can be considered.