Backbone vs. Skeleton — What's the Difference?

The series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the tailbone.

Something from which everything superfluous has been removed.

Something that provides strength or support.

The internal framework of bones in a vertebrate.

Figuratively, moral strength or resilience.

A very basic outline or framework.

A central supporting structure.

Figuratively, the bare facts or minimal basics of something.

The chief support of a system or organization.

Used to describe something stripped down to its essentials.

The vertebrate spine or spinal column.

A skeleton is a structural frame that supports an animal body. There are several different skeletal types: the exoskeleton, which is the stable outer shell of an organism, the endoskeleton, which forms the support structure inside the body, the hydroskeleton, a flexible skeleton supported by fluid pressure, and the cytoskeleton present in the cytoplasm of all cells, including bacteria, and archaea.

Something, such as the keel of a ship, that resembles a backbone.

The internal structure that protects and supports the soft organs, tissues, and other parts of a vertebrate organism, and is composed of bone and cartilage or, in certain animals, cartilage alone.

The main support or major sustaining factor

The hard external structure that supports, protects, or contains the body of many invertebrates, such as mollusks, crustaceans, and corals, and certain vertebrates, such as turtles.

Strength of character; determination

A supporting structure or framework, as of a building.

A ridge forming the principal axis of a mountain.

An outline or sketch.

The principal mountain ridge, range, or system of a region.

Something reduced to its basic or minimal parts.

(Chemistry) The main chain of atoms in a polymer.

One that is very thin or emaciated.

(Computers) A high-speed communications line that connects smaller, local networks to each other, especially in a wide area network.

A sport in which a person glides down an icy track head-first lying on one's stomach on a compact, simple sled that lacks steering or brakes.

The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.

The sled used in such a sport.

(figuratively) Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.

Of, relating to, or resembling a skeleton.

(figuratively) Courage, fortitude, or strength.

Reduced to the basic or minimal parts or members

The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal column.

Of or relating to the sport of skeleton.

Anything like , or serving the purpose of, a backbone.

(anatomy) The system that provides support to an organism, internal and made up of bones and cartilage in vertebrates, external in some other animals.

Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness.

An anthropomorphic representation of a skeleton.

A central cohesive source of support and stability;

(figuratively) A very thin person.

Fortitude and determination;

(figuratively) The central core of something that gives shape to the entire structure.

The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord;

(architecture) A frame that provides support to a building or other construction.

The part of a network that connects other networks together;

A client-helper procedure that communicates with a stub.

(geometry) The vertices and edges of a polyhedron, taken collectively.

(printing) A very thin form of light-faced type.

Reduced to a minimum or bare essentials.

(botany) The network of veins in a leaf.

A type of tobogganing in which competitors lie face down, and descend head first.

(archaic) To reduce to a skeleton; to skin; to skeletonize.

(archaic) To minimize.

The bony and cartilaginous framework which supports the soft parts of a vertebrate animal.

A very thin or lean person.

The heads and outline of a literary production, especially of a sermon.

Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal.

Something reduced to its minimal form;

A scandal that is kept secret;

The hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal

The internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape;

The skeleton protects vital organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs.

The backbone provides the necessary support and structure to maintain an upright posture in vertebrates.

The human skeleton is made up of 206 bones at adulthood.

The backbone allows for flexibility and serves as the attachment point for muscles that facilitate movement.

The main components of the backbone are the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae.

The skeleton provides points of attachment for muscles, which are crucial for movement and stability.

The primary function of the backbone is to provide structural support and flexibility to the body.

Yes, "skeleton" can describe the basic framework or essential outline of non-physical structures like stories or organizations.

Yes, "backbone" is often used metaphorically to represent strength, support, or the fundamental aspect of something.

Skeletal structures vary widely among animals, adapted to different modes of life, such as flying in birds or swimming in fish.

Yes, the backbone is a central part of the skeleton, specifically the vertebral column.

The skull is part of the skeleton; it encases the brain and forms the structure of the face and head.

Beyond physical support, the skeleton also plays a role in producing blood cells and storing minerals.

The backbone is unique due to its segmented structure and flexibility, which is essential for motion and support.

No, the number of bones in the human skeleton can vary slightly, especially at birth where there are approximately 270 bones, some of which fuse together by adulthood.