Skeletal System Quiz

Skeletal System

• The skeletal system is responsible for many vital functions, including organ protection storage of minerals, support and movement of the body, and the production of all blood cells.
• The adult human skeleton comprises 206 bones on average.
• Anatomists use several common terms to describe the features of bones, such as foramen, canal, fossa, tubercle, process, and condyle.
• Bones are divided into two parts, the axial and appendicular skeletons.

Axial Skeleton

• The axial skeleton is composed of skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.
• The skull consists of 22 bones divided into the neurocranium (braincase) and viscerocranium (facial bones).
• The neurocranium consists of 8 bones that surround and protect the brain: frontal, parietal (2), temporal (2), occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid.
• The viscerocranium consists of 14 facial bones, all paired except the mandible and vomer.

Neurocranium

• The frontal bone: makes up the forehead, forms the upper part of the eye sockets.
• The parietal bones: are paired flat bones located on either side of the head, behind the frontal bone.
• The temporal bones: are irregular bones located under each of the parietal bones.
• The occipital bone: is a flat bone at the back of the skull; it contains the foramen magnum, an opening connecting the spinal cord to the brain.
• The sphenoid bone: is an irregular bone situated below the frontal bone.
• The ethmoid bone: is an irregular bone positioned in front of the sphenoid bone, forming part of the nasal cavity.

Viscerocranium

• The maxilla is the jawbone, forms the upper jaw and articulates with the temporal bone. It contains the superior teeth.
• The zygomatic bone is the cheekbone, located anterior to the sphenoid bone. The zygomatic arch is formed by joined processes of the temporal and zygomatic bones, creating a bridge across the side of the face. It serves as a major attachment site for muscles that move the mandible.
• The palatine bones form the roof of the oral cavity, separating the nasal cavity from the mouth. The palatine bones enable chewing and breathing simultaneously, and are made up of:
  • The hard palate: forms the roof of the mouth and the floor of the nasal cavity.
  • The soft palate: comprises connective tissue and muscles.

Test your knowledge on the skeletal system, including its functions, structure, and classification of bones. This quiz covers both the axial and appendicular skeleton, with a focus on the neurocranium and facial bones. Perfect for students studying anatomy and physiology.