The Axial Skeleton

Question 1

What is the axial skeleton comprised of?

Answer 1

Skull
Vertebral column
Ribs
Sternum

Question 2

Describe the structure of the skull

Answer 2

Skull is a composite structure consisting of the calvaria (brain case) and the facial skeleton

Question 3

Describe the calvaria structure

Answer 3

Composed of a number of flat bones that articulate at sutures

Question 4

How many bone sis the skull comprised of?

Answer 4

22 bones

Question 5

Outline the different sutures of the skull

Answer 5

Sagittal - midline
Coronal - x axis, near frontal bones
Lamboid structures - lies posteriorly near occipital

Question 6

What is a suture?

Answer 6

A suture is a type of fibrous joint that is only found in the skull (cranial suture)

Question 7

Outline the facial bones of the skull

Answer 7

• Nasal
• Maxilla
• Mandible
• Zygomatic
• (ethmoid)

Question 8

List the calvaria bones of the skull

Answer 8

• Frontal
• Parietal
• Temporal
• Occipital
• Sphenoid

Question 9

What is the foramen magnum?

Answer 9

Large hole in the occipital bone allowing the passage of the brainstem

Question 10

Outline the structures of the brainstem

Answer 10

Superior - Midbrain
Middle - Pons
Inferior - Medulla

the brainstem passes through the foramen magnum in the occipital bone

Question 11

What are the 5 regions of the vertebral column?

Answer 11

Cervical C1-7
Thoracic T1-12
Lumbar L1-5
Sacral S1-5
Coccygeal C1-4

Question 12

How many bones form the vertebral column?

Answer 12

33 bones - separate in neck and most of trunk

Inferiorly fuse together as the sacrum
Terminate as the coccyx

Question 13

Which vertebrae are responsible for head and neck movement?

Answer 13

C1 - atlas

C2 - axis

Question 14

What is the role of intervertebral discs?

Answer 14

Lie between successive vertebrae

Act as cushioning - shock absorption

Question 15

Which bones form the thoracic cage?

Answer 15

Ribs
Sternum
Thoracic Vertebrae

Question 16

Which muscle is attached to the lower border of the thoracic cage?

Answer 16

The diaphragm attaches to divide the thorax and abdomen

Question 17

Name the 3 parts of the sternum

Answer 17

Manubrium
Body
Xiphisternum / xiphoid process

Question 18

What is the manubriosternal joint?

Answer 18

Joint between manubrium and body of the sternum at T3-T4

Question 19

Outline the different ribs of the rib cage

Answer 19

True ribs (1-6) : connect to sternum
False ribs (7-10) : connect to cartilage
Floating ribs (11-12) : posteriorly connected