The bones of the skeleton give support and shape to the body and protect delicate internal organs.
Muscles attached to the skeleton make motion possible.
The bone marrow manufactures blood cells. The axial skeleton includes the skull, the spine, and the ribs and sternum. Twenty-four vertebrae have holes through them, and the holes are lined up vertically, forming a hollow tube. The spinal cord runs through this bony tube and is protected by it. The seven topmost spinal bones, the cervical vertebrae, are the neck bones.