axial skeleton

n (Anatomy) the bones that together comprise the skull and the vertebral column

ax′ial skel′eton

n. the skeleton of the head and trunk. [1870–75]

Thesaurus

Noun

axial skeleton - the part of the skeleton that includes the skull and spinal column and sternum and ribsbreastbone, sternum - the flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribsskull - the bony skeleton of the head of vertebratesrib cage - the bony enclosing wall of the chestskeletal structure - any structure created by the skeleton of an organismendoskeleton - the internal skeleton; bony and cartilaginous structure (especially of vertebrates)spinal column, spine, vertebral column, rachis, backbone, back - the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back"

Axial Skeleton

axial skeleton

[′ak·sē·əl ′skel·i·tən] (anatomy) The bones composing the skull, vertebral column, and associated structures of the vertebrate body.

Axial Skeleton

the section of the skeleton in chordates and man that is located along the longitudinal axis of the body. The axial skeleton provides the principal support for the body and protects the central nervous system.

In acraniates, the axial skeleton is represented by the notochord, whose supportive function is conditioned by the elasticity and the toughness of the outer membranes. In certain craniate vertebrates, the vertebral elements develop from the skeletogenic tissue that surrounds the notochord and the neural tube, with the notochord persisting throughout the organism’s life. The analogous skeletogenic tissue in cyclostomes gives rise to the neural arches of the vertebrae. In certain fishes—holocephalids, Acipenseridae, and dipnoans—the skelatogenic tissue develops into the vertebral centra, as well as into the neural arches.

In most vertebrates and in man, the axial skeleton takes the form of a notochord only in the early stages of embryonic development; the notochord is later supplanted by the developing bodies of the vertebrae. The prolongation of the trunk’s axial skeleton is called the axial cranium, or the neurocranium, or the cerebrocranium, and protects the brain and the organs of olfaction, sight, and hearing.

axial skeleton

skeleton

[skel´ĕ-ton] the hardened tissues forming the supporting framework of an animal body; see skeletal system.axial skeleton (skeleton axia´le) the bones of the cranium, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum.

ax·i·al skel·e·ton

[TA] articulated bones of head, vertebral column, and thorax, that is, head and trunk, as opposed to the appendicular skeleton, the articulated bones of the upper and lower limbs. Synonym(s): skeleton axiale [TA]

axial skeleton

n. The bones constituting the head and trunk of a vertebrate body.

ax·i·al skel·e·ton

(ak'sē-ăl skel'ĕ-tŏn) [TA] Articulated bones of head and vertebral column, i.e., head and trunk, as opposed to the appendicular skeleton, the articulated bones of the upper and lower limbs. [L. axis, + G. skeletos, skeleton]

skeleton

S09-865420 (skĕl′ĕt-ŏn) [Gr., a dried-up body]

SKELETON: anterior view of the axial (bone colored) and appendicular (blue colored) skeletonThe bony framework of the body consisting of 206 bones: 80 axial or trunk and 126 of the limbs (appendicular). This number does not include teeth or sesamoid bones other than the patella. See: illustration; table

appendicular skeleton

The bones that make up the shoulder girdle, upper extremities, pelvis, and lower extremities.

axial skeleton

Bones of the head and trunk.

cartilaginous skeleton

The part of the skeleton formed by cartilage; in the adult, the cartilage of the ribs and joints. Cartilage is more flexible and resistant to resorption due to pressure than bone.

Axial (80 bones)		Appendicular (126 bones)
Head	Trunk	Upper Extremities	Lower Extremities
(29 bones)	(51 bones)	(64 bones)	(62 bones)
Cranial (8) Frontal—1 Parietal—2 Occipital—1 Temporal—2 Sphenoid—1 Ethmoid—1 Facial (14) Maxilla—2 Mandible—1 Zygoma—2 Lacrimal—2 Nasal—2 Turbinate—2 Vomer—1 Palatine—2 Hyoid (1) Auditory ossicles (6) Malleus—2 Incus—2 Stapes—2	Vertebrae (26) Cervical—7 Thoracic—12 Lumbar—5 Sacrum—1 Coccyx—1 Ribs (24) True rib—14 False rib—6 Floating rib—4 Sternum (1)	Arms and shoulders (10) Clavicle—2 Scapula—2 Humerus—2 Radius—2 Ulna—2 Wrists (16) Scaphoid—2 Lunate—2 Triquetrum—2 Pisiform—2 Trapezium—2 Trapezoid—2 Capitate—2 Hamate—2 Hands (38) Metacarpal 10 Phalanx (finger bones)—28	Legs and hips (10) Innominate or hip bone (fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis)—2 Femur—2 Tibia—2 Fibula—2 Patella (kneecap)—2 Ankles (14) Talus—2 Calcaneus (heel bone)—2 Navicular—2 Cuboid—2 Cuneiform, internal—2 Cuneiform, middle—2 Cuneiform, external—2 Feet (38) Metatarsal—10 Phalanx (toe bones)—28

axial skeleton

The skull and spine (vertebral column).

axial skeleton

the part of the SKELETON containing the SKULL and VERTEBRAL COLUMN.

ax·i·al skel·e·ton

(ak'sē-ăl skel'ĕ-tŏn) [TA] Articulated bones of head, vertebral column, and thorax, i.e., head and trunk, as opposed to the appendicular skeleton, articulated bones of the upper and lower limbs.

axial skeleton

Related to axial skeleton: appendicular skeleton

noun

Words related to axial skeleton

noun the part of the skeleton that includes the skull and spinal column and sternum and ribs

Related Words

breastbone
sternum
skull
rib cage
skeletal structure
endoskeleton
spinal column
spine
vertebral column
rachis
backbone
back