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Axial Skeleton Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

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  • Ribs

    Quantity: 24 (12 pairs); Location: Encloses the thoracic cavity; Structure: Curved, flat, elongated bones extending from the spine to the chest front.

  • Sternum

    Quantity: 1; Location: Center line of the anterior chest; Structure: Dagger-shaped flat bone consisting of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.

  • Temporal bone

    Quantity: 2; Location: Lower lateral sides and base of the skull, surrounding the ears; Structure: Irregularly shaped flat bone containing the middle ear cavity and zygomatic process.

  • Parietal bone

    Quantity: 2; Location: Superior sides and roof of the skull; Structure: Curved, quadrilateral shaped flat bone joined by the sagittal suture.

  • Occipital bone

    Quantity: 1; Location: Posterior wall and base of the skull; Structure: Trapezoid shape, flat bone containing the foramen magnum for spinal cord passage.

  • Sphenoid bone

    Quantity: 1; Location: Middle base of the skull, spanning behind the eyes; Structure: Butterfly shape, irregular bone that articulates with almost all other cranial bones.

  • Frontal bone

    Quantity: 1; Location: Anterior roof of the skull, forming the forehead and upper eye sockets; Structure: Shell shape, flat bone containing the frontal sinuses.

  • Ethmoid bone

    Quantity: 1; Location: Roof of the nasal cavity and between the orbits; Structure: Spongy, lightweight irregular bone containing the cribriform plate and crista galli.

  • Mandible

    Quantity: 1; Location: Lower jaw; Structure: Large, U-shaped irregular bone—the only movable bone of the skull.

  • Maxilla

    Quantity: 2; Location: Upper jaw and central face area; Structure: Irregularly shaped facial bones fused at the midline.

  • Vomer

    Quantity: 1; Location: Midline of the nasal cavity floor; Structure: Thin, plow-shaped flat bone that forms the inferior part of the nasal septum.

  • Lacrimal bone

    Quantity: 2; Location: Medial wall of each eye orbit; Structure: Tiny, fingernail-sized rectangular flat bone containing a tear-duct passageway.

  • Nasal bone

    Quantity: 2; Location: Upper bridge of the nose; Structure: Small, oblong flat bones joined at the midline.

  • Palatine bone

    Quantity: 2; Location: Posterior part of the hard palate and nasal cavity floor; Structure: L-shaped irregular bones.

  • Zygomatic bone

    Quantity: 2; Location: Lateral cheeks and lower outer orbits; Structure: Diamond shape, irregular bone (the cheekbones).

  • Inferior nasal conchae

    Quantity: 2; Location: Inside the lateral walls of the nasal cavity; Structure: Thin, curved, scroll-like irregular bones.

  • Axis (C2)

    Quantity: 1; Location: Second vertebra of the neck; Structure: Irregular vertebra with a unique vertical knob called the dens (odontoid process).

  • Atlas (C1)

    Quantity: 1; Location: First vertebra of the neck supporting the skull; Structure: Ring-shaped irregular vertebra lacking a distinct body or spinous process.

  • Cervical vertebrae

    Quantity: 7 (includes Atlas & Axis); Location: Neck region; Structure: Small, lightweight irregular bones with transverse foramina for blood vessels.

  • Thoracic vertebrae

    Quantity: 12; Location: Upper and mid-back; Structure: Heart-shaped bodies with long, downward spinous processes and costal facets for rib attachments.

  • Lumbar vertebrae

    Quantity: 5; Location: Lower back; Structure: Large, massive, kidney-shaped bodies built to bear heavy body weight.

  • Sacrum

    Quantity: 1 (5 fused vertebrae); Location: Base of the spine between hip bones; Structure: Triangular, curved bone providing pelvic stability.

  • Coccyx

    Quantity: 1 (3-5 fused vertebrae); Location: Terminal tail end of the spine; Structure: Small, triangular, beak-shaped bone (tailbone).

  • Number and names of cranial bones

    8 cranial bones: Frontal, Parietal (2), Temporal (2), Occipital, Sphenoid, and Ethmoid.

  • Number and names of facial bones

    14 facial bones: Maxilla (2), Zygomatic (2), Lacrimal (2), Nasal (2), Inferior Nasal Conchae (2), Palatine (2), Vomer, and Mandible.

  • Sagittal suture location

    Midline on top of the skull, joining the two parietal bones.

  • Squamous suture location

    Lateral side of the skull, joining the temporal bone and parietal bone.

  • Coronal suture location

    At the crown of the skull, joining the frontal bone and parietal bones.

  • Lambdoid suture location

    At the back of the skull, joining the occipital bone and parietal bones.

  • Bones forming the orbit

    Frontal, Sphenoid, Ethmoid, Zygomatic, Maxilla, Lacrimal, and Palatine bones.

  • Bones forming the nasal cavity

    Ethmoid, Vomer, Maxilla, Inferior Nasal Conchae, Palatine, Nasal, and Sphenoid bones.

  • Bones forming the zygomatic arch

    The temporal bone (zygomatic process) and the zygomatic bone (temporal process).

  • Definition of condyle

    A smooth, rounded articular projection at the end of a bone that helps form a joint.