The spine is also part of the axial skeleton. Informationen about $CMS_IF( ! tt_headline.isEmpty)$$CMS_VALUE(tt_headline.toText(false).convert2)$$CMS_END_IF$ What are the different parts of a skeleton? The bones in our arms and legs are largely made up of tubular bones that are strong but quite light. Protective bones, like the skull (cranium) or breastbone (sternum), tend to be flat pieces of bone. The various structures depend on what the bone needs to do. One example is the ball-shaped end of the upper arm bone (humerus) in the shoulder joint. Others mainly serve to make movement possible. Some offer protection, like the skull or the iliac crest (one on either side of the pelvis). Chemical reactions take place inside them, making them able to adjust to the different loads put on them and to renew themselves when needed.īones have different shapes depending on what job they do. The bones have an active internal metabolism. Nearly all of the skeleton's bones are connected to one another by joints, cartilage, ligaments or muscles. It supports the body's weight and holds things in place, but is also very flexible. Our skeleton provides a framework for our body.

Sternum flat bone