Human Skeleton Functions

Overview

The human skeleton is a complex system of 206 bones that provide support, protection, and movement for the human body.

Functions

• Support: The skeleton provides a framework for the body, allowing it to maintain its shape and providing attachment points for muscles.
• Protection: The skeleton protects internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, and brain, by encasing them in a protective cage of bones.
• Movement: The skeleton enables movement by providing a system of levers and joints that allow for flexibility and mobility.

Divisions

• Axial skeleton: 80 bones that make up the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum.
• Appendicular skeleton: 126 bones that make up the upper and lower limbs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle.

Bone Types

• Long bones: Longer than they are wide, e.g. femur (thigh bone).
• Short bones: Approximately equal in length and width, e.g. carpals (wrist bones).
• Flat bones: Thin and flat, e.g. ribs.
• Irregular bones: Do not fit into any other category, e.g. vertebrae.

Joints

• Synovial joints: Freely movable joints, e.g. shoulder, elbow, wrist.
• Cartilaginous joints: Partially movable joints, e.g. spine.
• Fibrous joints: Immovable joints, e.g. skull bones.

Bone Markings

• Processes: Bony outgrowths that serve as attachment points for muscles and ligaments.
• Fissures: Grooves or slits in bones that provide pathways for nerves and blood vessels.
• Foramina: Holes in bones that allow passage of nerves and blood vessels.

Development and Growth

• Ossification: The process of bone formation, which occurs through childhood and adolescence.
• Epiphyseal plates: Areas of cartilage at the ends of long bones that facilitate growth.
• Bone remodeling: The process of bone resorption and formation, which continues throughout life.

Overview

• The human skeleton is a complex system of 206 bones that provide support, protection, and movement for the body.

Functions

• The skeleton provides a framework for the body, allowing it to maintain its shape and providing attachment points for muscles.
• The skeleton protects internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, and brain, by encasing them in a protective cage of bones.
• The skeleton enables movement by providing a system of levers and joints that allow for flexibility and mobility.

Divisions

• The axial skeleton consists of 80 bones that make up the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum.
• The appendicular skeleton consists of 126 bones that make up the upper and lower limbs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle.

Bone Types

• Long bones are longer than they are wide, e.g. the femur (thigh bone).
• Short bones are approximately equal in length and width, e.g. the carpals (wrist bones).
• Flat bones are thin and flat, e.g. the ribs.
• Irregular bones do not fit into any other category, e.g. the vertebrae.

Joints

• Synovial joints are freely movable joints, e.g. the shoulder, elbow, and wrist.
• Cartilaginous joints are partially movable joints, e.g. the spine.
• Fibrous joints are immovable joints, e.g. the skull bones.

Bone Markings

• Processes are bony outgrowths that serve as attachment points for muscles and ligaments.
• Fissures are grooves or slits in bones that provide pathways for nerves and blood vessels.
• Foramina are holes in bones that allow passage of nerves and blood vessels.

Development and Growth

• Ossification is the process of bone formation, which occurs through childhood and adolescence.
• Epiphyseal plates are areas of cartilage at the ends of long bones that facilitate growth.
• Bone remodeling is the process of bone resorption and formation, which continues throughout life.