Which part of the skeleton includes the skull and the spine?

The axial skeleton comprises the central framework of the body, which includes the skull, vertebral column (spine), and rib cage. The skull serves as the protective casing for the brain and houses the structures related to the face, while the spine consists of individual vertebrae that safeguard the spinal cord and support the upper body. This central structure is essential for providing stability, protecting vital organs, and facilitating overall posture and movement.

The appendicular skeleton, on the other hand, includes the limbs and the girdles that connect them to the axial skeleton, focusing more on mobility rather than the core structural support provided by the axial skeleton. The facial skeleton specifically refers to the bones that form the face and does not encompass the entire skull, nor does it include the spine. The thoracic skeleton primarily refers to the rib cage and associated components, which, while part of the axial skeleton, does not encompass its totality. Hence, identifying the axial skeleton as including both the skull and spine is accurate and reflective of the structure and function of the human skeleton.