TREATISE ON ANATOMY, 



BOOK I. 



PART I. 



On the Anatomy of the Skeleton. 



THE skeleton is the bony frame- work of the human body; 

 and, by its hardness and form, retains in proper shape the 

 whole fabric ; affords points for the attachment of muscles ; and 

 protects many of the viscera. Anatomists call the bones, along 

 with their natural connexions of ligaments, cartilages, and sy- 

 novial membranes, a natural skeleton ; and the bones only, but 

 kept together by artificial means, an artificial skeleton. 



The bones are inflexible, and in a recent state are of a dull 

 white colour, familiar to most persons from its being the same 

 in animals; but they may be made of an ivory whiteness by 

 being properly macerated and prepared. 



The regional division of the skeleton is into Head, Trunk, 

 Superior or Thoracic, and Inferior or Abdominal Extremi- 

 ties. 



If a vertical plane be passed from the top of the head down- 

 wards, through the middle of the skeleton, this plane will divide 

 the latter into bilateral, or two equal portions, called, in com- 

 mon language, the right and the left side of the body. These 



VOL. I. 5 



