Entity: SKELETON
A skeleton is a rigid supportive or protective structure of an organism, typically the bony framework supporting soft tissues and protecting internal organs in vertebrates.
SKELETON
Etymology
The word 'skeleton' originates from the Greek word 'skeletos' meaning dried up or withered.
Definition
A skeleton is a usually rigid supportive or protective structure or framework of an organism, such as the bony or cartilaginous framework supporting soft tissues and protecting internal organs in vertebrates.
Historical Context
The study of skeletons has been crucial in understanding human and animal anatomy, evolution, and paleontology. Skeletons have been used in various scientific fields to reconstruct past life forms and study skeletal structures.
Cultural Significance
Skeletons have been symbolically associated with death, Halloween, and the Day of the Dead in various cultures. They are also commonly used in art, literature, and folklore to represent mortality and the human body's structure.
Related Concepts
- Bone structure
- Anatomy
- Osteology
See Also
- Human skeleton
- Animal skeleton
- Skeleton (sport)
A skeleton is a usually rigid supportive or protective structure or framework of an organism, such as the bony or cartilaginous framework supporting soft tissues and protecting internal organs in vertebrates.