The skeleton is broken down into the axial skeleton, the appendicular skeleton, and the joints of the body.
-The Axial Skeleton is made up of the Skull (Cranium), the Vertebral Column (C1 to the Coccyx), the ribs, and the sternum. The Vertebral column is made up of 5 groups. The Cervical spine has 7 vertebrae, the Thoracic spine has 12 vertebrae, the Lumbar spine has 5 vertebrae, the Sacral spine has 4 fused vertebrae, and the coccygeal group has 3 – 5 vertebrae.
-The Appendicular Skeleton includes the shoulder/pectoral girdle, the pelvic (right and left coxal bones), and the bones of the extremities of the body.
–Joints can be discussed in two different groups. The first group involves the amount of movement the joint allows. The second group discusses the axis or axes of movement for the joint.
1st group
- Fibrous Joints = They allow basically zero movement. Like what we see with the sutures of the skull.
- Cartilaginous Joints = These joints allow limited levels of movement. Like what we see with the intervertebral disks.
- Synovial Joints = Joints allowing a considerable amount of movement, and they make up most of the next grouping of joints that discusses the axes of movement. An example for this joint would be elbows or knees.
2nd group
- Uniaxial Joints rotate over just one axis and are essentially hinges. The elbow is a prime example of this joint.
- Biaxial Joints rotate over two perpendicular axes and the best example is the ankle or wrist.
- Multiaxial joints allow movement in all three axes of space. They include joints like the shoulder, or the hip.