The xiphoid is composed of cartilage in children. By adulthood, this cartilage has undergone ossification and is replaced by bone.

The pelvic outlet is the lower circumference of the lesser pelvis. The pelvic outlet is bounded anterior-posteriorly by the pelvic arch (specifically the inferior margin of the pubic symphysis) and the tip of the coccyx. Laterally it is bound by the ischial tuberosities.

The lower part of the pelvis is formed by the ileum, ishium, and pubic bones. These bones join to create a cavity. This cavity is larger in females to allow the passage of an infant during childbirth.

The pectoral girdle is made up of the scapulae (shoulder blades) and clavicles (collar bones). The coccyx, also referred to as the tailbone, is located at the inferior of the spinal column. The sacrum is a curved set of fused bones that forms part of the posterior pelvis. The tarsus is the collection of seven bones in the foot that form the ankle and instep.

Primary curvatures of the spine reflect the original shape of the embryo, and are concave to the anterior. The thoracic and sacral curvatures are examples of primary spinal curvatures. Exaggeration of these curvatures is considered kyphosis.

The cervical and lumbar curvatures are examples of secondary curvatures and are concave to the posterior. Exaggeration of these curvatures is considered lordosis.

The human vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae. The lumbar vertebrae at the base of the spine are thickest and bear most of the weight of the trunk. The bottom 5 sacral vertebrae and 4 coccygeal vertebrae are fused. Both sets of fused vertebrae comprise two different bones, the sacrum and the coccyx respectively. The 12 thoracic vertebrae contain facets on the bodies and on the transverse processes (except T11 and T12) for articulation with the ribs.

The spinous process on cervical vertebra number 7 can be felt under the skin and even seen. C7 is the largest and most inferior vertebra of the cervical vertebrae and the spinous process serves as an attachment point for muscles. The transverse foramen is a hole in the direction the vertebral column runs and allows nerves and blood vessels to run the length of the vertebral column. The transverse process is also a point of attachment, but cannot be felt as they extends laterally from the spine. The pedicle allows for the passage of spinal nerves and cannot be palpated. The body is positioned anteriorly, and thus cannot be palpated.

The cervical vertebrae have a foramen in the transverse process. These foramina transmit the vertebral arteries that help supply the brain. There are no foramina in the thoracic, lumbar, or coccygeal vertebrae; the sacral vertebrae have only sacral foramina.

Atlas is another term for C1. Its superior articular facets receive the condyles of the occipital bone in the skull, which allows the neck to move backwards and forwards. The axis, or C2, has a superiorly projecting dens that distinguishes it from the atlas.

The jugular notch, also known as the suprasternal notch is located at the superior portion of the manubrium. It is not located on the body of the sternum, the xiphoid process, the clavicle or the humerus.

We have seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, five lumbar vertebrae, five fused sacral vertebrae, and four fused coccygeal vertebrae. Adding these numbers tells us that we have thirty-three total vertebrae in our vertebral columns. A good way to remember that there are seven cervical, twelve thoracic, and five lumbar vertebrae is to think of the times that we eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner: 7 AM, 12 PM, and 5 PM.