Musculoskeletal System Overview

The system that provides structure, support, and movement to the body.

Strong, hard tissue that makes up the framework of the body. They protect organs, provide support, and enable movement.

The strong, fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones.

The central part of a long bone, also called the shaft. Contains marrow for producing blood cells.

The outer layer of bone, strong and dense, providing most of the support.

The body's framework, made up of the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum.

The bones of the limbs (arms and legs) and the shoulder and hip girdles.

The flexible connections between bones that allow movement.

Less dense bone found in the marrow cavity and epiphysis.

Fibrous connective tissue that covers bones, containing blood vessels and nerves.

Soft, jelly-like tissue found in the center of some bones, responsible for blood cell production.

Type of bone marrow that stores fat and can turn into red marrow when needed.

Immovable joints connected by a thin layer of connective tissue.

Slightly movable joints connected by cartilage and strong fibrous connective tissue.

A thick, slow-moving fluid found in joints, lubricating and nourishing cartilage.

The type of joint that allows movement in many directions, like the hip.

The type of joint that allows limited rotation when flexed, like the knee.

The type of joint found in the fingers and thumbs, allowing movement in two directions.

The type of joint that works like a door hinge, allowing movement in only one direction, like the elbow.

The type of joint that allows one bone to rotate about the other, like the elbow between the radius and ulna.

The type of joint found in the wrists, allowing limited movement between bones.

Tissues that contract to perform mechanical work, accounting for approximately 40% of body weight.

This muscle is attached to bones, allows for movement, and has a striped appearance under a microscope.

Found in the walls of hollow organs like your stomach and bladder, this muscle is involuntary, meaning you can't control it.

This special muscle type is only found in your heart, is involuntary, and has interlocking fibers for quick contractions.

Bones protect internal organs and soft tissues, support your body, produce blood cells, and store minerals like calcium.

These muscles are voluntary, meaning you can choose to move them.

These muscles are involuntary, meaning you cannot control them.

This refers to the striped appearance of skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues under a microscope.

The process of replacing cartilage with bone tissue, primarily composed of collagen, calcium phosphate, and calcium carbonate.

The constant renewal of bone tissue by breaking down old bone and forming new bone.

Cells responsible for building new bone tissue.

Cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue.

Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue.

The energy currency of cells, used by muscles for contraction. This energy is derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Muscles work in pairs around joints. When one contracts, the other relaxes to produce movement.

Our musculoskeletal system keeps working even when we're at rest. Even sleeping requires muscle activity to regulate functions like breathing and heartbeat.