What is a skeletal diagram?

The skeleton diagram is a picture or illustration of the bones of the organism, usually arranged on the basis of its skeletal anatomy. Most skeletal diagrams depict the human skeleton because of medical and scientific importance, but in some fields they also use diagrams of other organisms. The skeleton scheme can be used as a simple and quick reference for those who are familiar with the skeleton, or can be used as a study instrument by people trying to remember the names and location of different bones of the body. Such illustrations are also present in almost all books of anatomy, because the bone structure is one of the main determinants of the shape and the action of the organism.

The most common type of human skeletal diagram depicts the human skeleton standing directly up and heading forward. Many also include back view and side view of the skeleton because it is not possible to clearly see all the front bones. Other diagrams can show a skeleton or engage in some form of activity such as walkingor swimming. These alternative views are used to demonstrate how bones appear when they are moving. A skeletal diagram with alternative views can also make it easier to remember bones by showing what they look like from different angles and in different movement conditions.

While all or most bones on a skeletal diagram are usually marked, some diagrams, especially those used by students using bone names and location, do not include labels. Students are able to write the names of bones themselves before comparing their diagrams with another skeletal diagram that includes marked bones. Repetition of this exercise is one of the most common methods used by students who try to remember the names of each of the bones.

Some computer programs and websites provide interactive skeletal diagrams, which often include inforgram muscles, nerves and other aspects of anatomy. One mIt can be able to manipulate the bones and joints on the skeletal diagram to see how the skeleton appears in different attitudes. Some such programs allow the user to display "layers" of human anatomy. For example, after organizing a skeletal diagram, for example, you can also decide to display muscle and skin. Computer anatomical programs and skeletal diagrams are useful because they usually allow the user to rotate the skeleton to any angle and look for more information about any interest.