Axial skeleton consists of?

Appeared in: HPSSSB Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

The axial skeleton forms the central axis of the body and is composed of 80 bones.
Its primary functions are to protect vital organs like the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs, and to provide a surface for the attachment of muscles.
The count of 80 is derived from the sum of bones in the skull (22), auditory ossicles (6), hyoid bone (1), vertebral column (26), and thoracic cage (25).

Option A: The number 40 does not represent the bone count for any major division of the human skeleton.
Option C: The number 100 is an arbitrary number and does not correspond to the bone count of the axial or appendicular skeleton.
Option D: 126 is the number of bones in the appendicular skeleton, not the axial skeleton.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Divisions of the Human Skeleton as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A thorough understanding of the axial skeleton is crucial for nurses when assessing patients after trauma, as injuries to the skull, spine, and rib cage can be life-threatening.
Nurses monitor for signs of neurological deficit in patients with suspected vertebral fractures and for respiratory compromise in patients with rib fractures.
What if? If a patient has a fracture of the C2 vertebra (the 'axis'), the immediate nursing priority is to immobilize the cervical spine and monitor respiratory status, as this injury can damage the spinal cord and affect the nerves controlling breathing.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Axial skeleton'.
Recall the definition of the axial skeleton as the central core of the body, including the skull, spine, and rib cage.
Differentiate this from the appendicular skeleton, which consists of the limbs and girdles.
Recall the specific number of bones for each division. The axial skeleton has 80 bones, and the appendicular has 126.
Select the option that matches the correct count for the axial skeleton.
Use the provided image to visually confirm the components of the axial skeleton (skull, spine, ribs).

Concept Tested & Keywords

QPEeNYMChJYaYOdNvc_Bit

E6 Osteology InderbirSingh 5e p. 27-29

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 252-254

Practise the full HPSSSB Staff Nurse - 2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.