Axial skeleton
Skeleton axiale
- Latin synonym: Sceletum axiale
Definition
The axial skeleton is the part of the skeleton composed by of the bones of the head and trunk of a vertebrate (the other part of the bones of the skeleton is the appendicular skeleton).
In human, it consists of 80 bones and is composed of five parts;
The cranium (skull)
The extracranial bones of head with mandible and hyoid bone
The thoracic skeleton with rib cage and sternum
The vertebral column with vertebrae, sacrum and coccyx.
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