Chapter 4 The Skeletal System 141 vertebrae the bones making up the spinal column vomer a plow-shaped bone that comprises most of the bony nasal septum Know and Understand 1. Explain the function of the axial skeleton and which parts of the skeleton are included in it. 2. The bones of the skull are often divided into two groups. Name those two groups. 3. Which bone of the skull is freely movable? 4. Describe how sutures and fontanels relate to each other. 5. List the five named sections of the spine and tell how many vertebrae are included in each of these sections. 6. Name five structural features common to most vertebrae. Analyze and Apply 7. Why is it important to protect and cradle a baby’s head when you are holding the baby? 8. Compare and contrast the conditions of lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis. 9. How does the structure of an intervertebral disc (made of fibrocartilage) relate to its function? 10. Explain the different ways in which ribs are attached to the sternum. 11. What are the primary and secondary spinal curves? Explain why and distinguish between them. 12. Using different colors of clay, construct a model of the axial skeleton. Be sure to label all of the bones included. You will add to this skeleton in a later lesson in this chapter. 13. Work with a team of one or two classmates. On a Styrofoam mannequin head, draw in all of the sutures of the skull and outline them in black marker. Draw in all of the bones of the cranium and face and color each a different color using markers or crayons. Label each suture and bone with a number and then create a key listing the name of each suture and bone to correspond with the number label. IN THE LAB Mini Glossary Make sure that you know the meaning of each key term. atlas the first cervical vertebra specialized to provide the connection between the occipital bone of the skull and the spinal column axial skeleton central, stable portion of the skeletal system, consisting of the skull, spinal column, and thoracic cage axis the second cervical vertebra specialized with an upward projection called the odontoid process, on which the atlas rotates cervical region the first seven vertebrae, comprising the neck coccyx four fused vertebrae at the base of the spine forming the tailbone cranium fused, flat bones surrounding the back of the head facial bones bones of the face fontanel openings in the infant skull through which a baby’s pulse can be felt these openings enable compression of the skull during birth and brain growth during late pregnancy and early infancy intervertebral discs fibrocartilaginous cushions between vertebral bodies that allow bending of the spine and help to create the normal spinal curves lumbar region low back region of the spine composed of five vertebrae mandible jawbone maxillary bones two fused bones that form the upper jaw, house the upper teeth, and connect to all other bones of the face, with the exception of the mandible process an outgrowth or projection on a bone or other body tissue sacrum five fused vertebrae that form the posterior of the pelvic girdle skull the part of the skeleton composed of all of the bones of the head sternum breastbone sutures joints in which irregularly grooved, articulating bone sheets join closely and are tightly connected by fibrous tissues thoracic cage bony structure surrounding the heart and lungs in the thoracic cavity composed of the ribs, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae thoracic region the 12 vertebrae in the middle of the back LESSON 4.2 Review and Assessment Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.