Human Skeleton

As described in the previous blog, how our ancestors discovered Human Body, the first and foremost thing to study was the Human Skeleton.

Skeleton includes bones and cartilages which forms the main supporting framework of the bodyand which is primarily designed for a more effective production of movements by the attached muscles.

The number of bones when a child is born are 270 which fuses when he/she becomes an adult to 206 bones. 

There are mainly two divisions of human skeleton:

1. Axial skeleton which mainly consists of vertebral column, ribcage and skull. It mainly consists of 80 bones. It mainly forms the framework and protection of a human being. 

2. Appendicular Skeleton which is mainly consisting of shoulder girdle, upper limb, pelvic girdle and lower limb. It consists of total 126 bones in total. Its main role is to provide fine and gross motor movements. 

The below picture shows clear demarcation of axial and appendicular skeleton. 

There are 5 main functions of the Skeleton:

1. Support - It provides framework to which the whole body supports and it also maintains the shape.

2. Movement - There is movement between 2 bones qhich allows the movement. It is powered by the skeletal muscles which are attached to the bones.

3. Protection - It protects our vital organs like brain, spinal cord, lungs, heart, viscera, etc.

4. Blood Cells Production - The long bones in an adult human is a site of haematopoiesis i. e. development of blood cells in the bone marrow.

5. Endocrine Regulation - The bone cells release a hormone named as Osteocalcin which mainly helps in regulating blood sugar and fat metabolism.

THE TOTAL 206 BONES OF AN ADULT SKELETON

Human Body (206)
Axial Skeleton (80)		Appendicular Skeleton (126)
Skull (28)	Torso (52)	Upper Extremity (32 x 2 = 64)	Lower Extremity (31 x 2 = 62)
Paired Bones (11 x 2 = 22) Nasal Lacrimal Inferior Nasal Concha Maxiallary Zygomatic Temporal Palatine Parietal Malleus Incus Stapes	Paired Bones (12 x 2 = 24) Rib 1 Rib 2 Rib 3 Rib 4 Rib 5 Rib 6 Rib 7 Rib 8 (False) Rib 9 (False) Rib 10 (False) Rib 11 (Floating) Rib 12 (Floating)	Scapula Clavicle Humerus Radius Ulna Scaphoid Lunate Triquetrum Pisiform Hamate Capitate Trapezoid Trapezium Metacarpal 1 Proximal Phalange 1 Distal Phalange 1 Metacarpal 2 Proximal Phalange 2 Middle Phalange 2 Distal Phalange 2 Metacarpal 3 Proximal Phalange 3 Middle Phalange 3 Distal Phalange 3 Metacarpal 4 Proximal Phalange 4 Middle Phalange 4 Distal Phalange 4 Metacarpal 5 Proximal Phalange 5 Middle Phalange 5 Distal Phalange 5	Hip (Ilium, Ischium, Pubis) Femur Patella Tibia Fibula Talus Calcaneus Navicular Medial Cuneiform Middle Cuneiform Lateral Cuneiform Cuboid Metatarsal 1 Proximal Phalange 1 Distal Phalange 1 Metatarsal 2 Proximal Phalange 2 Middle Phalange 2 Distal Phalange 2 Metatarsal 3 Proximal Phalange 3 Middle Phalange 3 Distal Phalange 3 Metatarsal 4 Proximal Phalange 4 Middle Phalange 4 Distal Phalange 4 Metatarsal 5 Proximal Phalange 5 Middle Phalange 5 Distal Phalange 5
Frontal Ethmoid Vomer Sphenoid Mandible Occipital	Hyoid Sternum Cervical Vertebrae 1 (atlas) C2 (axis) C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 Thoracic Vertebrae 1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12 Lumbar Vertebrae 1 L2 L3 L4 L5 Sacrum Coccyx

Written and complied by: Dr. Palak Shah