The Skeletal System serves many important functions; it provides the shape and form for our bodies in addition to supporting, protecting, allowing body movement, producing blood for the body, and storing minerals. Its 206 bones form a rigid framework to which the softer tissues and organs of the body attach. Vital organs of the body are protected by the skeletal system. The brain is protected by the surrounding skull as is the heart and lungs encased by the sternum and rib cage. Bodily movement is carried out by the interaction of the muscular and skeletal systems. For this reason, they are often grouped together as the musculoskeletal system. Muscles are connected to bones by tendons. Bones are connected to each other by ligaments. Where bones meet one another is typically called a joint. Muscles which cause movement of a joint are connected to two different bones and contract to pull them together. .
The human skeleton is divided into two distinct parts:.
The axial skeleton consists of bones that form the axis of the body and support and protect the organs of the head, neck, and trunk.
- The Skull .
- Cranium.
- Face.
- The Hyoid .
- The Auditory ossicles .
- The Vertebral Column .
- The Thorax.
- Sternum.
- Ribs.
The appendicular skeleton is composed of bones that anchor the appendages to the axial skeleton.
-The Pectoral (shoulder) girdles.
- Clavicle.
- Scapula.
-The Upper limbs (extremities).
- Humerus.
- Ulna.
- Radius.
- Carpals.
- Metacarpals.
- Phalanges.
-The Pelvic (hip) girdle.
- Hip, pelvic or coxal bone.
-The Lower limbs (extremities).
- Femur.
- Fibula.
- Tibia.
- Patella.
- Tarsals.
- Metatarsals.
- Phalanges .
The bones of the body fall into four general categories: long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones.
- Long bones are longer than they are wide and work as levers. The bones of the upper and .
lower extremities are long bones (eg. humerus, tibia, femur, ulna, metacarpals, etc). .
- Short bones are short, cube-shaped, and found in the wrists and ankles.