The Skeletal System - Overview
The Skeletal System
Introduction
The skeletal system exists as the framework to support the muscles, organs, and tissues of the body. It consists of 206 bones in a host of different sizes, shapes, and functions. That's correct--the skeletal system works together as a single unit although the bones possess similar, although different, functions. This module will explore skeletal organization, connections, and movement, as well as physiological functions.
Essential Questions
- How is muscle connected to the bones?
- How many bones are there in the human body?
- Which type of bone provides the structure of the human body?
- What functions does the skeletal system possess?
- What cells compose the human skeletal system?
- What other system(s) support and maintain the bones of the skeletal system?
- How many types of bone exist in the skeletal system?
- How would you classify the bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton?
- What does the process of growth and formation of bone consist of?
Key Terms
- Appendicular Skeleton - portion of the skeleton forming the extremities composed of the shoulder girdle, arm bones, pelvic girdle, and leg bones
- Axial Skeleton - portion of the skeleton forming the main trunk of the body composed of the skull, spinal column, ribs, and breastbone
- Carpals - wrist
- Clavicles - collarbones
- Cranium - skull
- Diaphysis - the shaft of a long bone
- Endosteum - the layer of vascular connective tissue lining the medullary cavities of bone that keeps the yellow marrow intact
- Epiphysis - an end of a long bone
- Femur - longest and largest bone in the human body, extending from the hip to the knee (thigh)
- Fibula - the smaller of two bones of the lower leg below the knee
- Fontanels - membrane-covered opening between bones
- Foramina - openings in bones that allow nerves and blood vessels to enter or leave the bone
- Humerus - the longest bone of the upper arm, extending from the shoulder to the elbow
- Joints - an area where two or more bones join together
- Ligaments - a tough band of tissue that connects long bones together at joints
- Medullary canal - the marrow cavity of a bone
- Metacarpals - the five bones forming the palm of the hand
- Metatarsals - the five bones forming the instep of the foot
- Os coxae - hip bone
- Patella - kneecap
- Periosteum - the tough membranous outer covering of bone
- Phalanges - fourteen finger bones (three bones comprising each finger and two on each thumb)
- Radius - smaller of two bones of the lower arm located on the thumb side
- Red marrow - a form of bone marrow that produces red blood cells, platelets, and some white blood cells
- Ribs - 12 pairs of bones attaching to the thoracic vertebrae on the dorsal surface of the body
- Scapula - shoulder bone
- Sinuses - air spaces in the bones of the skull that usually communicates with the nostrils and contains air
- Skeletal system - a system made of 206 bones and functions as the framework for the human body
- Sternum - also known as the breastbone, it connects with the clavicles and the cartilages of the upper seven pairs of ribs
- Sutures - the line of union in an immovable articulation (as between the bones of the skull)
- Tarsals - the seven bones forming the ankle
- Tibia - the inner and usually larger of the two bones of the leg between the knee and ankle
- Ulna - the bone on the little-finger side of the human forearm that forms, with the humerus, the elbow joint and serves as a pivot in rotation of the hand
- Vertebrae - the 26 bones forming the spinal column
- Yellow marrow - bone marrow that functions as the storage area for fat cells
- Osteocyte - a bone cell
IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS OR OPENSOURCE