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Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower extremity
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
General
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Nervous tissue Muscle tissue Cartilage and bone
Body systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Musculoskeletal system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphatic system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system
AnatomyBasicsIntroduction to the musculoskeletal system
Skeletal system

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Skeletal system

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

  1. Name the main bones of the human body.
  2. Identify the two major subdivisions of the skeleton.
  3. Describe the five main classifications of types of bones, based on bone shape.
  4. List the main functions of the skeletal system.

Watch videos

The adult skeleton is composed of 206 individual bones. Together with joints, cartilage and ligaments these bones form our skeletal system.

The skeletal system has a number of important functions, it provides a protective and supportive internal framework for the human body, it forms a system of levers which skeletal muscles use to move the body in space, it stores fat and minerals and it is involved in blood cell formation.

Watch the following video to find out more about the bones of the skeleton, including its subdivision into axial and appendicular skeletons.

Learn how bones are classified by shape, by watching the video below.

To improve your understanding of skeletal system terminology, take a closer look at some commonly used roots, prefixes and suffixes related to the skeletal system in the video below.

Take a quiz

Now that you have watched the video about the main bones of the human body, solidify your knowledge by taking the following quiz.

If the quiz was too easy for you, don't worry, we got you covered. You can now choose your own topics and create your own customized quiz with the difficulty level of your choice. Try our custom quiz by clicking on the box below!

Custom quiz: First look at bones and muscles For a broader topic focus, try this customizable quiz.

Why not test your memory with a bone labeling exercise? Below, you can see a labeled diagram showing the main bones of the body and an unlabeled diagram ready for you to fill in yourself.

BLANK WORKSHEET (PDF)LABELED WORKSHEET (PDF)

Browse atlas

Take a closer look at the skeletal system in the gallery below. 

Frontal bone
Os frontale
1/26
Synonyms: none

Summary

Key points about the skeletal system
Main bones of the human body

 Axial skeleton: Frontal bone, maxilla, mandible, temporal bone, parietal bone, occipital bone, vertebral column, sacrum, coccyx, ribs, sternum

Appendicular skeleton: Clavicle, scapula, humerus, ulna, radius, carpal bones, metacarpals, phalanges of hand, ilium, ischium, pubis, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsal bones, metatarsals, phalanges of foot
Types of bones Long, short, flat, irregular and sesamoid.
Functions of the skeletal system

 Protection, support, movement (with involvement of the muscular system), storage of fat and minerals and blood cell formation.

Well done!

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