ComparisonIntermediate
What are the two main divisions of the human skeleton and what bones are included in each division?
The two main divisions of the human skeleton are the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, and thorax, while the appendicular skeleton consists of the bones of the shoulder girdle, upper extremities, pelvic bones, and lower extremities.
Key points
- The axial skeleton forms the central core of the body and includes the skull, vertebral column, and thorax.
- The appendicular skeleton is attached to the axial skeleton and includes the shoulder girdle and bones of the upper and lower extremities.
- The axial skeleton consists of 80 bones, while the appendicular skeleton includes 126 bones.
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