Axial Skeleton

Front

Axial Skeleton Noun

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[ak-see-uhl skel-i-tn]

Back

Axial Skeleton

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The part of the skeleton consisting of the bones of the head and trunk, forming the body's central framework.

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Example: This diagram highlights the axial skeleton in blue, showing its main parts: the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage, which form the central axis of the body.

Front

Cranium Noun

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[kray-nee-uhm]

Back

Cranium

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The part of the skull that encloses the brain and forms the main, upper part of the head.

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Example: The cranium, part of the axial skeleton, is the section of the skull that encloses the brain and is composed of eight main bones.

Front

Frontal bone Noun

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[fruhn-tl bohn]

Back

Frontal bone

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The single bone that forms the forehead and the upper part of the orbits, also known as the eye sockets.

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Example: This image highlights the frontal bone in green, showing its location at the front of the skull where it forms the forehead.

Front

Occipital Bone Noun

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[ok-sip-i-tl bohn]

Back

Occipital Bone

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The bone forming the back and base of the skull, containing a large opening for the spinal cord.

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Example: This image shows the location of the occipital bone at the back and base of the skull, from both a side view and a cross-section.

Front

Temporal bone Noun

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[tem-per-uhl bohn]

Back

Temporal bone

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A pair of bones located on the sides of the skull that enclose the middle and inner ear structures.

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Example: This diagram shows the temporal bone (in orange) located on the side of the skull, below the parietal bone, forming part of the cranium.

Front

Sphenoid bone Noun

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[sfee-noid bohn]

Back

Sphenoid bone

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An unpaired bone at the base of the cranium, situated behind the eye and below the brain's frontal part.

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Example: This diagram shows the sphenoid bone (in orange) and its central location within the skull, connecting with other major cranial bones.

Front

Zygomatic bone Noun

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[zahy-guh-mat-ik bohn]

Back

Zygomatic bone

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The bone that forms the prominent part of the cheek and the outer side of the eye socket; the cheekbone.

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Example: This diagram shows the location of the zygomatic bone, also known as the cheekbone, from both the front and side views of the skull.

Front

Maxilla Noun

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[mak-sil-uh]

Back

Maxilla

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The bone forming the upper jaw, which holds the upper teeth and forms part of the nose and palate.

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Example: This diagram shows the maxilla, which is the upper jaw bone that holds the top teeth, as part of the skull's axial skeleton.

Front

Mandible Noun

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[man-di-buhl]

Back

Mandible

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The bone forming the lower jaw, which is the largest, strongest, and only movable bone of the skull.

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Example: This image shows the mandible, which is the lower jawbone, attached to the skull. A cutaway section reveals how the teeth are anchored inside it.

Front

Foramen Magnum Noun

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[fuh-rey-men mag-nuhm]

Back

Foramen Magnum

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A large opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes to connect with the brain.

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Example: This image shows the large opening at the base of the skull, indicated by the arrow, which is the foramen magnum.