Axial Skeleton

Things to remember

• The skeleton which is present at the axis of the body is called axial skeleton.
• The skull consists of the bones of the head and it is divided into cranium and facial bones.
• Maxillae bone forms a portion of the roof of the mouth, lateral walls of the nasal cavity and part of the floor of the orbital cavities.
• Lacrimal bone contains the passage for tears from the eyes to the nose.
• Hyoid is a ‘U’ shaped bone and it supports our tongue.
• Trunk consists of bones of the vertebral column and the thorax.
• The vertebral column supports the head, helps in upright posture and locomotion.
• The first cervical vertebra is called atlas which supports the globe-like head.
• The last true ribs which are free and do not even reach the sternum are called floating ribs.