Question

There are two major divisions of the skeletal system: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton has 80 bones and consists of the skull, vertebral (spinal) column, ribs, and sternum. The appendicular skeleton includes the 126 bones of the shoulders, wrists, arms, hands, pelvic girdles, legs, ankles, and feet.

How can you recall what bones are in the axial vs. the appendicular skeleton? Use the rule of ones and twos. The axial skeleton contains the bones that we have one of, and the appendicular skeleton contains bones that you have in pairs.



1. Your cousin is expecting her first baby, and she is nervous about pregnancy and childbirth. What advice can you give her about skeletal system health for herself and the baby during pregnancy? How can you reassure her that the skeletal systems of both the baby and the mother are adapted for childbirth?

Write 4 simple sentences in your own words.

Answer 1

Eat enough calcium and vitamin D and take your prenatal vitamins to keep both your bones and the baby’s bones strong.
Stay active with safe exercises and maintain good posture to support your back and pelvis.
The baby’s skeleton is mostly flexible cartilage with soft spots and movable skull plates that help it pass through the birth canal.
The mother’s pelvis and ligaments loosen slightly near delivery, so both bodies are naturally adapted for childbirth.