skeleto-, skelet-, skele-

(Greek > Latin: dried up, withered, mummy; the bony and some of the cartilaginous framework of the body of animals; including humans)

skeletology (s) (noun), skeletologies (pl)
The anatomical study of the bones and cartilages which provides a frame for the bodies of animals.
skeletomotor (s) (noun), skeletomotors (pl)
Movements that involve sensory and pursuit neurons which activate velocity as when walking and running.
skeletomuscular (adjective), more skeletomuscular, most skeletomuscular
Relating to bundles of fibers, or muscle cells, each containing contractile elements which are striated muscles composed of regular arrays of thick and thin filaments.
skeleton (s) (noun), skeletons (pl)
Bones that are joined together with ligaments and tendons to form a protective and supportive framework for the attached muscles and underlying soft tissues of the body: "The average human adult skeleton has 206 bones consisting of two main parts, known as the axial and the appendicular skeletons."

"The axial skeleton comprises the skull, spine, ribs, and the sternum (breastbone) and together they represent a total of 80 bones; 29 in the skull, 26 in the spine, and 25 in the chest."

"The appendicular skeleton consists of the two limb girdles (the shoulder and the pelvis) and their attached limb bones."

"Also, the appendicular skeleton includes 126 bones, 64 in the shoulders and upper limbs and 62 in the pelvis and lower limbs (legs, feet, toes)."

"There are two bones in each shoulder, the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade), three in each arm; the humerus (upper arm bone) and the radius and the ulna (forearm bones); eight carpals in each wrist; five metacarpals in each palm; and fourteen phalanges in the digits of each hand (two in each thumb and three in each finger)."

"The individual bones of the skeleton are connected by three types of joints, which differ in the amount of mobility they permit through the various planes and ranges of movement."


—Compiled from data in
The American Medical Association Home Medical Encyclopedia;
Medical Editor, Charles B. Clayman, MD; Random House; New York; 1989; page 909.
skeletopia (s) (noun), skeletopias (pl)
The position of an organ in relation to the bones of the body.
skeletopy (s) (noun), skeletopies (pl)
The location of organs of the body in relation to the various bones of the body.
splanchnoskeleton (s) (noun), splanchnoskeletons (pl)
1. In primitive vertebrates; such as, fish, the cartilaginous or bony arches (branchial) that encircle the pharyngeal portion of the digestive tract.
2. In higher vertebrates, the bones derived from the branchial arches, which include the maxilla, mandible, maleus, incus, stapes, hyoid bone, and cartilages of the larynx.
visceral skeleton (s) (noun), visceral skeletons (pl)
The bony formations of the body that enclose pelvic and thoracic organs: The pelvis, ribs, and the cranium (head) and sternum (breastbone), are parts of the visceral skeleton.
visceroskeletal (adjective), more visceroskeletal, most visceroskeletal
Of or pertaining to the framework of the internal organs: The visceroskeletal system of muscles is related to the pelvis, ribs, and sternum.
zonoskeleton (s) (noun), zonoskeletons (pl)
The proximal element of the four main divisions to which limbs are attached: "The scapula (shoulder blade), clavicle (collarbone), and the hip bone are all related to the zonoskeleton."