Lesson 1: Introduction

Question 1

The Vertebrate Skeleton

Answer 1

Humans have an endoskeleton

The axial skeleton supports the trunk of the
body and consists of the skull, vertebral
column and the rib cage.

The vertebral column is divided into
regions:

Cervical – supports the head and
neck

Thoracic – forms joints with the ribs

Lumbar – lower back

Sacral – between the hips, in humans
this is fused together and called the
sacrum

Coccygeal – tail, in humans this is
partially fused and called the coccyx
The appendicular skeleton is
made up of the appendages
and the bones that attach the
appendages to the axial
skeleton.

The pectoral girdle and
the pelvic girdle serve as
a base of support for the
arms and the legs.

Question 2

Muscle Attachment

Answer 2

The skeleton provides a framework to
which the muscles attach.

Muscles attach to bones using tendons.

Tendons are bundles of
collagenous connective tissue

Muscles attach to bone at two points;
the origin and insertion.

Origin – the attachment site that
does not move during contraction

Insertion – the attachment site
that moves during muscle
contraction.