Axial Skeleton (Skull, Vertebral Column, and Bony Thorax)

Part A: The Skull

1. The skull is one of the major components of the axial skeleton. Name the other two.

2. What structures do each of these component areas protect (from #1)?

3. Define Suture.

4. With one exception, the skull bones are joined by sutures. Name the exception.

5. What are the four major sutures of the skull, and what bones do they connect?

6. Name the eight bones composing the cranium.

7. Give two possible functions of the sinuses.

8. What is the orbit?

9. Why can the sphenoid bone be called the keystone of the cranial floor?

Matching

Column A Column B

10. Bone forming anterior cranium a. ethmoid

11. Cheekbone b. frontal

12. Upper jaw c. hyoid

13. Bony skeleton of nose d. lacrimal

14. Posterior roof of mouth e. mandible

15. Bone pair united by the sagittal suture f. maxilla

16. Site of jugular foramen and carotid canal g. nasal

17. Contains a “saddle” that houses the h. occipital

pituitary gland

18. Allows tear ducts to pass i. palatine

19. Forms the hard palate j. parietal

20. Superior and medial nasal conchae are

part of this bone k. sphenoid

21. Site of external auditory meatus l. temporal

22. Has greater and lesser wings m. vomer

23. It’s “holey” plate allows the olfactory fibers

to pass n. zygomatic

24. Facial bone that contains a sinus

25. Three cranial bones containing paranasal sinuses

26. Its oval-shaped protrusions articulate with the atlas

27. Spinal cord passes through a large opening in this bone

28. Not really a skull bone

29. Forms the chin

30. Inferior part of nasal septum

31. Contain alveoli bearing teeth (2)

32. Label the skull on the student handout

Part B: The Fetal Skull

1. Are the same skull bones seen in the adult also found in the fetal skull?

2. How does the size of the fetal face compare to its cranium?

3. How does this compare to the adult skull?

4. What are the outward conical projections in some of the fetal cranial bones?

5. What is a fontanel?

6. What is its fate?

7. What is the function of the fontanels in the fetal skull?

8. Labe the fontanels shown on the fetal skull on the student handout.

Part C: The Vertebral Column

1. Label the Vertebral Column on the student handout.

2. Label each of the vertebrae types shown on the student handout. Also identify and label the following

markings on each: transverse processes, spinous process, body, superior articular processes, as well as

areas provided with leaders.

3. What kind of tissue makes up the intervertebral discs?

4. What is a herniated disc? What problem might it cause?

5. Label the articulated vertebral column on the student handout.

Part D: The Bony Thorax

1. The major components of the thorax (excluding the vertebral column)are the (2):

2. What is the general shape of the thoracic cage?

3. Label the regions and landmarks of the bony thorax on the student handout.