ANA 407 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Appendicular Skeleton, Shoulder Girdle, Axial Skeleton

• School: University at Buffalo
• Department: Anatomical Sciences
• Course: ANA 407
• Professor: Karnes

Document Summary

Define axial and appendicular skeleton, and consider the functions of each. a. The axial skeleton is the skull, vertebral column and rib cage (ribs and sternum). The skull and vertebral column function to protect the central nervous system (cns, i. e. , brain and spinal cord); the rib cage protects thoracic viscera (heart, lungs) and to some extent, the abdominal viscera (especially if the spine is flexed). The appendicular skeleton is composed of limb bones and the limb girdles: The pectoral girdle (scapula & clavicle) attaches the upper limb to the body. The pelvic girdle (hip bones) attaches the lower limb to the body. b. Observe evidence of the segmental nature of the body. Like earthworms, humans develop from a segmental pattern. But unlike earthworms, some of our segments change shape quite dramatically during growth. The vertebral column is segmented, as is the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. Also observe the segmental nature of the rib cage.