The axial skeleton is divided into three sections: the skull, vertebral_column, and the thorax.

The human skull is divided into two sections: the cranium and the face. All but one of the bones of the skull are joined by interlocking joints, which are called sutures. The mandible (lower jawbone) is the exception: it is attached to the rest of the skull by a freely movable joint.

The hyoid bone is not really a part of the skull, but is often studied with the skull because of its close proximity to the skull.

It is located in the throat above the larynx and serves as an attachment point for the tongue. The hyoid does not articulate with any other bone. It is a horseshoe-shaped body with two pairs of cornua (horns).