Difference Between Axial and Appendicular

Axial and appendicular skeletons are the two main divisions of the human skeletal system. The axial skeleton includes bones from the central axis of the body, while the appendicular skeleton includes bones of the limbs and the girdles (shoulder and pelvic) that attach them to the axial skeleton.

The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, and ribcage. These bones protect the vital organs in the head and torso and provide support and structure for the body. The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the arms, legs, hands, and feet. These bones are involved in movement and locomotion and also play a role in manipulating the environment.

What is Meant by Axial?

Axial, as the name suggests, means part(bones) of the body which forms the central axis of the body. This can include the main structural elements of the body, such as the bones that form the central axis of the body in humans and most vertebrates.

The axial system in humans is composed of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage. The skull forms the uppermost part of the axial system and protects the brain, while the vertebral column runs from the skull to the pelvis, providing support and protection to the spinal cord. The rib cage surrounds and protects the thoracic organs, such as the heart and lungs.

The axial system is essential for the overall structure and function of the body, as it provides support and protection to vital organs, allows for movement and coordination, and houses the central nervous system. It also plays a role in the regulation of breathing, circulation, and digestion.

What is Meant by Appendicular?

The term appendicular refers to the bones and structures that form the appendages of the body. These include the bones of the upper and lower limbs, the shoulder girdle, and the pelvic girdle.

The appendicular system plays a vital role in the overall structure and function of the body, as it allows for movement and manipulation of the environment. The bones of the upper limbs, such as the humerus, radius, and ulna, along with the hand and wrist bones, allow for a wide range of movements and actions, such as grasping, holding, and manipulating objects.

Similarly, the bones of the lower limbs, such as the femur, tibia, and fibula, along with the foot and ankle bones, allow for locomotion and mobility, such as walking, running, and jumping. The shoulder girdle, consisting of the clavicle and scapula, allows for the movement and positioning of the arms, while the pelvic girdle, consisting of the hip bones, provides support and protection to the reproductive and digestive organs.

Overall, the appendicular system works in conjunction with the axial system to allow for the efficient movement and functioning of the body.

Difference Between Axial and Appendicular Systems

Below the table, we will discuss the difference between the axial and appendicular systems on various features:

Features	Axial system	Appendicular system
Location	Located along the midline axis of the body.	located in the limbs and girdles.
Component Bones	Head, Neck, Spine, and Rib Cage	Upper Limbs, Lower Limbs, Pelvis, and Shoulders
Number of Bones	80	126
Functions	The brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs are among the organs of the head, neck, and trunk that the axial skeleton supports and safeguards.	The appendicular skeleton supports movement and mobility, allowing the body to walk, run, jump, and lift objects.
Shape and structure of bones	Tend to be irregular in shape, such as the vertebrae, which have a bony arch.	More tubular, such as the femur bone in the leg.
Embryonic origin	Develops from the Somites, which are mesodermal blocks that form along the neural tube.	Develops from the lateral plate mesoderm, which forms the body wall and limbs.
Joints	Fewer joints, allow limited movements, for example, a Fibrous joint in the skull between flat skull bones and cartilaginous joints between adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column.	More joints are involved in various types of movements. For example ball and socket, hinge, and pivot joints.
Growth in Relation to puberty	Little growth potential after puberty.	Continues to grow and change throughout life, with bone remodeling occurring in response to activity levels and other factors.
Muscles	Located in the central axis of the body.	Located in the limbs and girdles that attach the limbs to the axial skeleton

Important Facts about the Human Skeletal System

• Consists of a framework of bones and cartilage.
• Significant role in locomotion and movement of the body.
• Covers the smallest to largest functions: hearing with the help of ossicles, chewing food, and walking around.
• Bone and cartilages are specialized connective tissue. The former consists of a hard matrix and calcium salts and the latter consists of a pliable matrix and chondroitin salts.
• A total of 206 bones are there.

Similarities Between Axial and Appendicular Systems

• Here are some similarities between the axial and appendicular systems:
• Both systems are essential for maintaining the body’s shape and structure, as well as for providing a framework for various organs and tissues.
• Both systems are involved in movement and locomotion, although the appendicular system plays a more prominent role in this regard.
• Both systems are interconnected, with some bones in the axial system (such as the sternum and ribs) forming part of the appendicular system (such as the shoulder girdle).
• Both systems have some bones that serve as attachment points for muscles, such as the vertebrae and the pelvic bones.
• Both systems are composed of bones, cartilage, and ligaments, which provide support, protection, and attachment points for muscles.

FAQs on Axial and Appendicular System

Q1:  Why is it called the axial and appendicular system?

Answer:

It is so because the axial system forms the central axis of the body where as the appendicular system forms the appendages of the axial system of the body.

Q2: What are the 3 main parts of the axial system?

Answer:

The three main parts of the axial system are – the skull, the vertebral column, and the rib cage.

Q3: What are the 5 main parts of the axial system?

Answer:

The five main parts of the axial system are:

• the skull ( protects the brain), 
• the ossicles ( for hearing present in the middle ear), 
• the hyoid bone ( in the neck region), 
• the rib cage ( protects the lungs and the hears), 
• the vertebral column (protects the spinal cord).

Q4: What are the 7 types of bones?

Answer:

The seven types of bones present are Long bones, short bones, flat bones, sutural bones, sesamoid bones, and irregular bones.