A skeletal diagram is a representation of an organism’s bones that is usually organized according to its skeletal anatomy. The human skeleton is depicted in the majority of skeletal diagrams due to its medical and scientific importance, but other organisms’ skeletons are also used in some fields. A skeletal diagram can be used as a quick reference for those who are familiar with the skeleton, or as a study tool for those who are trying to memorize the names and locations of the body’s various bones. Bone structure is one of the major determinants of an organism’s shape and action, so such illustrations can be found in almost every anatomy book. x000D_
The most common human skeletal diagram shows the skeleton standing up straight and facing forward. Because it is impossible to see all of the bones from the front, many include a back view and a side view of the skeleton. Other illustrations may show the skeleton sitting or doing something active, such as walking or swimming. These different perspectives are used to show how the bones appear when they are moving. A skeletal diagram with alternate views can help with memorization by showing how the bones appear from various angles and in various states of motion.
While most skeletal diagrams include labels for all or most of the bones, some diagrams, particularly those used by students learning the names and locations of the bones, do not. Before comparing their diagrams to another skeletal diagram with labeled bones, students can write the names of the bones themselves. One of the most common methods used by students who want to memorize the names of the bones is to repeat the exercise. x000D_
Interactive skeletal diagrams are available in some computer programs and websites, and they frequently include information about muscles, nerves, and other aspects of anatomy. A skeletal diagram can be used to manipulate the bones and joints to see how the skeleton appears in different positions. The user can view “layers” of human anatomy in some of these programs. One could, for example, view the muscle and skin after arranging the skeletal diagram in a specific way. Computerized anatomy programs and skeletal diagrams are useful because they allow the user to rotate the skeleton at any angle and look up more information about any bone of interest.