The axial skeleton is divided into the skull, vertebral column, and bony thorax. The skull is made up of 22 bones including the cranial and facial bones. It protects the brain and houses the sense organs. The vertebral column consists of 26 irregular bones that form a flexible column protecting the spinal cord. The bony thorax includes the ribs, sternum, and costal cartilage and protects the heart and lungs.