The bones of the skeleton can be divided into two main groups. These are called the axial and appendicular parts of the skeleton.

The axial skeleton is the axis or central part of the skeleton. It consists of the bones of:

• the skull
• the vertebral column,
and
• the rib cage

The appendicular skeleton is the axis or central part of the skeleton. It consists of the bones of:

• the upper limbs – the shoulders, arms and hands
• the lower limbs – the hips, legs and feet.

We'll look at each of these in turn.