The vertebral column is part of the axial skeleton, and it is made of 33 individual bones during youth, which anatomists classify as irregular bones. Approximately nine of the bones at the terminal end of the spine later fuse in adulthood to form two larger bones: the sacrum and the coccyx. After the bones of […]

In this anatomy lesson, I’m going to cover the sacrum, a triangular bone located near the inferior portion of the vertebral column. Sacrum Etymology The word “sacrum” sounds a lot like the word “sacred,” and there’s a reason for that. “Sacrum” comes from an ancient Greek word that means “sacred bone” (hieron osteon), and they […]

In this anatomy lesson, I’m going to cover the coccyx bone, also called the tailbone. Anatomists classify the coccyx bone as an irregular bone, and it makes up the inferior portion of the vertebral column, which is part of the axial skeleton. Your tailbone does serve a purpose: It allows for the attachment of several […]

In this anatomy lesson, I’m going to cover the rib bones, also called costae in Latin. The ribs help protect vital organs  in the thorax such as the heart and lungs, and they assist with breathing. Don’t be fooled their long, curved shape! Rib bones are not classified as long bones. Instead, anatomists classify the […]

Sternum Anatomy: Manubrium, Body (Gladiolus), and Xiphoid Process In this anatomy lesson, I’m going to cover the sternum bone, also called the breastbone. I like to call this the “necktie bone” because it is shaped just like a necktie, and it’s also located in the center of the chest.  In fact, the word sternum comes […]