Postcranial skeleton

The parts of an animal’s skeleton other than the skull, including the vertebral column, ribs, limbs, and associated girdles.

Vertebral column: A series of vertebrae that supports the body and protects the spinal cord. It forms the central axis of the postcranial skeleton.
Synovial joint: A freely movable joint whose articulating surfaces are enclosed by a fluid-filled capsule. Most limb joints use this structure to permit movement between postcranial bones.
Functional morphology: The study of how anatomical form relates to biological function. It connects postcranial shape with movement and mechanical demands.
Skull: The bony or cartilaginous structure that encloses the brain and supports the face. It is the skeletal region excluded from the postcranial skeleton.
Thoracic cage: The ribs, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae that enclose and protect organs in the chest. Its bones form the protective framework around the thoracic organs.
Compact bone: Dense bone tissue organized into tightly packed structural units. Its strength helps long bones withstand bending and compression.
Locomotion: Movement of an organism from one place to another. Limb and trunk anatomy constrains how an animal moves.
Endoskeleton: An internal supporting framework made of bone, cartilage, or other rigid tissues. The postcranial skeleton is the non-skull portion of this internal framework.
Pectoral girdle: The bones that connect the forelimbs to the trunk in vertebrates. It anchors the forelimbs to the postcranial framework.
Trabecular bone: Porous bone tissue arranged as a network of plates and rods. Its lightweight internal structure distributes loads inside many postcranial bones.

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