The main bones of the human skeleton are:
- The Skull - Cranium, Mandible and Maxilla
- Shoulder girdle - clavicle and scapula
- Arm - humerus, radius and ulna
- Hand - Carpals, Metacarpals and Phalanges
- Chest - Sternum and Ribs
- Spine - Cervical area (top 7 vertibrae), Thoracic (next 12), Lumbar (bottom 5 vertebrae), Sacrum (5 fused or stuck together bones) and Coccyx (the tiny bit at the bottom of the spine).
- Pelvic girdle - Ilium, Pubis and Ischium.
- Leg - Femur, Tibia and Fibula
- Ankle - Talus and calcaneus (not shown above)
- Foot - Tarsals, Metatarsals and Phalanges.
How are bones formed?
- Bones are formed by the ossification of cartilage. What this really means is all bones start off as cartilage (normally in the womb) and they gradually turn to hard bone (ossification) over a period of years.
- Calcuim is needed for strong bone growth. Read more on the structure of bone.
What is the function of the skeleton?
- It provides protection to the major organs in particular the chest and rib cage.
- Muscles attach to bones to enable movement.
- Production of red blood cells within the bone marrow (a spongy substance in found in the cavities of long bones). Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body which is important in the production of energy.
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