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Axial Skeleton

By Anne Asher, About.com

Updated October 27, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition:

The axial skeleton is comprised of all the bones that are oriented vertically (called the longitudinal axis). These bones are:

  • skull (head)
  • hyoid bone
  • vertebra (bones of the spine)
  • sternum (breastbone)
  • ribs

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