Final answer:
The axial skeleton supports and protects organ systems within the dorsal and ventral body cavities, comprising the skull, spine, and rib cage. It serves to maintain posture, protect central organs, and provide attachment points for muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The axial skeleton creates a framework that supports and protects organ systems in the dorsal and ventral body cavities. It consists principally of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage. The axial skeleton forms the central axis of the human body and is key to maintaining an upright posture, as well as protecting crucial components of the human anatomy such as the brain, spinal cord, and vital organs within the chest.
It encompasses all bones of the head, neck, chest, and back, ensuring both protection for the central nervous system and respiratory systems, and offering sites for muscle attachment, crucial for movement. The vertebral column or spine carries the weight of the upper body and transmits it to the lower extremities. Meanwhile, the rib cage safeguards the heart and lungs. Muscles attached to the axial skeleton facilitate movements of the head, neck, and trunk, help in respiratory functions, and provide stability to other skeletal parts.