Bones
Did you know there are over 200 bones in an adult body? Our skeletal system is what allows us to move our limbs and protect our organs. Without bones we would be lying on the ground and not able to move. Each bone is actually a living organism that is made up of cells, protein, and minerals. Our skeletal system keeps acts as a structure that provides supports and protection for all the other soft tissue that makes up the rest of the body. The skeleton also has the attachment points for our joints. Red blood cells are actually produced by the red bone marrow inside our bones. Our skeleton is made up of two major divisions, the Axial Skeleton and the Appendicular Skeleton.
Axial Skeleton:
The Axial Skeleton runs along our body's midline. It is made up of 80 bones. Some of the major areas are the Skull, Ribs, and the Sternum.
Axial Skeleton:
The Axial Skeleton runs along our body's midline. It is made up of 80 bones. Some of the major areas are the Skull, Ribs, and the Sternum.
Skull
When thought of, the skull is thought of as one bone. However, the skull is made up of 22 bones. All of these bones are fused together except one. The other 21 bones are actually apart in children so their brains can grow. When they become an adult, these bones fuse together to add strength and protection. The one bone that does not fuse, called the Mandible, stays as a movable jaw bone. The Mandible stays this way for it is the only bone that helps the jaw move. The bones in the upper part of the skull is called the Cranium. The Cranium helps protect the brain from damage. The other bones support the eyes, nose, and mouth.
When thought of, the skull is thought of as one bone. However, the skull is made up of 22 bones. All of these bones are fused together except one. The other 21 bones are actually apart in children so their brains can grow. When they become an adult, these bones fuse together to add strength and protection. The one bone that does not fuse, called the Mandible, stays as a movable jaw bone. The Mandible stays this way for it is the only bone that helps the jaw move. The bones in the upper part of the skull is called the Cranium. The Cranium helps protect the brain from damage. The other bones support the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Ribs and Sternum
The sternum, better known as the breastbone, is located along the anterior side of the Thoracic region of the skeleton. It is a thin knife like bone, that connects to our ribs by thin bands of cartilage.
The ribs are a series of twelve pairs that, with the sternum, form the ribcage. The first seven, called true ribs, connect the Thoracic Vertebrae directly to the Sternum though their own band of Costal Cartilage. The eighth, ninth, and tenth pairs of ribs all connect to the Sternum through cartilage that is connected to the cartilage of the seventh rib. Because of this, these ribs are called false ribs. The eleventh and twelfth pairs of ribs are also false ribs, but are also considered to be floating ribs because they do not have cartilage.
The sternum, better known as the breastbone, is located along the anterior side of the Thoracic region of the skeleton. It is a thin knife like bone, that connects to our ribs by thin bands of cartilage.
The ribs are a series of twelve pairs that, with the sternum, form the ribcage. The first seven, called true ribs, connect the Thoracic Vertebrae directly to the Sternum though their own band of Costal Cartilage. The eighth, ninth, and tenth pairs of ribs all connect to the Sternum through cartilage that is connected to the cartilage of the seventh rib. Because of this, these ribs are called false ribs. The eleventh and twelfth pairs of ribs are also false ribs, but are also considered to be floating ribs because they do not have cartilage.