What is a skeleton? Explain the two main constituents of a skeleton. [5 MARKS]
What is a skeleton? Explain the two main constituents of a skeleton. [5 MARKS]
The skeleton is an internal framework of all the bones and cartilage in the human body. It is made up of 206 bones. It gives the shape and structure to support the body. Babies at birth possess 300 separate bones. Later some of the bones fuse together and finally, an adult has 206 bones making up the skeleton.
These bones can be grouped in two divisions: axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton.
The axial skeleton, with a total of 80 bones, consists of the vertebral column, the rib cage, and the skull. The axial skeleton transmits the weight from the head, the trunk, and the upper extremities down to the lower extremities at the hip joints, which help humans maintain their upright posture.
The appendicular skeleton has a total of 126 bones and is formed by the pectoral girdles, the upper limbs, the pelvic girdle, and the lower limbs, according to the NLM. Their functions are to make walking, running, and other movements possible and to protect the major organs responsible for digestion, excretion, and reproduction.
The skeleton is an internal framework of all the bones and cartilage in the human body. It is made up of 206 bones. It gives the shape and structure to support the body. Babies at birth possess 300 separate bones. Later some of the bones fuse together and finally, an adult has 206 bones making up the skeleton.
These bones can be grouped in two divisions: axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton.
The axial skeleton, with a total of 80 bones, consists of the vertebral column, the rib cage, and the skull. The axial skeleton transmits the weight from the head, the trunk, and the upper extremities down to the lower extremities at the hip joints, which help humans maintain their upright posture.
The appendicular skeleton has a total of 126 bones and is formed by the pectoral girdles, the upper limbs, the pelvic girdle, and the lower limbs, according to the NLM. Their functions are to make walking, running, and other movements possible and to protect the major organs responsible for digestion, excretion, and reproduction.
