Human skeleton | Parts, Functions, Diagram, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 19, 2024 · human skeleton, the internal skeleton that serves as a framework for the body. This framework consists of many individual bones and cartilages. There also are bands of fibrous connective tissue—the ligaments and the tendons—in …
Human skeleton - Skull, Bones, Joints | Britannica
Dec 19, 2024 · The posterior cranial fossa serves as a bed for the hemispheres of the cerebellum (a mass of brain tissue behind the brain stem and beneath the rear portion of the cerebrum) and for the front and middle portion of the brain stem. Major portions of the brain are thus partially enfolded by the bones of the cranial wall.
Human skeleton - Axial, Visceral, Bones | Britannica
Dec 19, 2024 · Human skeleton - Axial, Visceral, Bones: The cranium—the part of the skull that encloses the brain—is sometimes called the braincase, but its intimate relation to the sense organs for sight, sound, smell, and taste and to other structures makes such a designation somewhat misleading.
Axial skeleton | Description, Characteristics, Anatomy, & Function ...
Nov 26, 2024 · Axial skeleton, the part of the bony structure of the body that consists of the bones of the skull, the vertebral column, and the rib cage. The axial skeleton serves primarily to support and protect the heart, lungs, and central nervous system, which is …
Human muscle system | Functions, Diagram, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 19, 2024 · The posterior scalene muscles, located on the lower sides of the neck, ipsilaterally bend the neck to the side and elevate the second rib. The splenius capitis and splenius cervicis also assist in neck side bending.
Human skeleton - Spinal Cord, Bones, Joints | Britannica
Dec 19, 2024 · The flaring upper part of the girdle is the ilium; the lower anterior part, meeting with its fellow at the midline, is the pubis; and the lower posterior part is the ischium. Each ischial bone has a prominence, or tuberosity, and it is upon these tuberosities that the body rests when seated.
Joint | Definition, Anatomy, Movement, & Types | Britannica
Dec 23, 2024 · Joint, in humans and other animals, structure connecting two or more adjacent parts of the skeleton. Not all joints move, but, among those that do, motions include spinning, swinging, gliding, rolling, and approximation. Learn about the different types of joints and their structure and function.
Human skeleton - Arms, Legs, Joints | Britannica
Dec 19, 2024 · Human skeleton - Arms, Legs, Joints: The humerus and the femur are corresponding bones of the arms and legs, respectively. While their parts are similar in general, their structure has been adapted to differing functions.
Skeleton - Limbs, Bones, Joints | Britannica
Dec 24, 2024 · The posterior appendages, called pelvic fins or hind limbs, articulate with the pelvic girdle, which is situated in the trunk region usually just in front of the anus or cloaca (the ventral posterior body opening in many lower vertebrates). It is by way of the girdles that the weight of the body of land vertebrates is transmitted to the limbs.
Skeleton - Muscles, Earthworm, Anatomy | Britannica
Dec 24, 2024 · In Limulus, the horseshoe crab, muscles from the anterior margin of the coxa (the leg segment nearest the body) are inserted on the endosternite, as are other muscles from the posterior margin. The jointed cuticular skeleton of arthropods enables them to attain considerable size, up to a few metres in length, and to move rapidly.