Bones, Bones and
More Bones
Bones play an important part in the overall function of your body. They provide a frame for your body, they protect vital organs such as your heart, and they even produce blood that is used by your body.
The skull is supported by the top of the spinal column and is oval in shape. It is composed of a series of flattened or irregularly shaped bones which are immovable, except for the jaw region. The skull protects the brain, which is the control station for the entire body.
The spinal column is a flexible series of bones that supports your entire body to stand up. It also protects the spinal cord, which is the main "road" for nerve impulses to the brain.
The clavicle or collar bone is a long curved bone above the first rib. The clavicle acts as a fulcrum to allow the muscles to provide lateral motion to the arms.
The scapula is a large, flat bone, triangular in shape, located in the back of the shoulder.
There are usually 11-12 ribs which form a protective, flexible bony arch around the organs of the circulatory and respiratory organs.
The sternum or breastbone is a flat, narrow bone found in the midline of the thorax or chest. The upper part supports the clavicle and anchors seven ribs.
The pelvis is a bony ring at the lower end of the spine and supports the axial skeleton.
The sacrum is a large, triangular bone located at the lower part of the spinal column and upper part of the pelvis.
The humerus is the upper portion of the arm that fits into the outer portion of the scapula. Muscles and tendons anchor themselves on the humerus to create muscles like biceps and deltoid.
The forearm is situated between the elbow and the wrist and composed of the ulna and radius. The ulna is a long bone located on the inner side of the forearm, parallel to the radius. The ulna converts movement from the elbow, while the radius is more important in the movement of the wrist and hand.
The humerus is the upper portion of the arm that fits into the outer portion of the scapula. Muscles and tendons anchor themselves on the humerus to create muscles like biceps and deltoid.
Definitions were taken from http://msnucleus.org/netafrica/skeleton/index.html