Skeletal System and Joints Quiz

Skeletal System

• The skeletal system comprises bones, joints, and connective tissues.
• Bones act as a framework for the body, protecting vital organs like the brain, spinal cord, lungs, and heart.
• Bones function as levers, enabling movement.
• They store calcium and phosphorus.
• Bones produce blood cells.
• Bone types include long, short, flat, sesamoid, and irregular bones.
• Examples of flat bones include ribs and scapulae.
• Examples of long bones include humerus and femur.
• Examples of short bones include carpals and tarsals.
• Examples of irregular bones include vertebrae.
• Examples of sesamoid bones include patella.

Joints

• Joints connect bones, enabling movement and providing support.
• Joints can be categorized by function (range of motion) and structure (material).
• Joint types include:
  • Fibrous joints (no movement): e.g., skull sutures.
  • Cartilaginous joints (limited movement): e.g., vertebrae.
  • Synovial joints (full movement): e.g., knee, shoulder.
• Synovial joints have articular cartilage, a synovial membrane, and a joint cavity.
• Synovial joints are also supported by ligaments and other structures, like bursae and menisci.
• Types of movements at synovial joints include flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, rotation (internal/external), and circumduction. Further movements like supination/pronation, inversion/eversion, dorsiflexion/plantar flexion are specific to certain joints.
• The skeletal system has two major divisions: axial skeleton (80 bones) and appendicular skeleton (126 bones).
  • Axial skeleton includes skull, vertebral column, and ribs.
  • Appendicular skeleton includes bones of limbs and shoulder/pelvic girdles.

Muscular System

• Muscle types include smooth, cardiac, and skeletal.
• Skeletal muscle is responsible for movement, posture maintenance, and heat generation.
• Skeletal muscle is attached to bones via tendons.
• Muscles structure includes fascicles, connective tissues (endomysium, perimysium, epimysium).
• Each muscle has a motor unit with a neuron and associated muscle fibers. Fine movements involve smaller motor units; broader movements use larger motor units.
• A neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a point where nerves relay signals to these muscle fibers, often involving an acetylcholine neurotransmitter.
• Muscle mechanics involve prime movers, antagonists, and synergists.
  • Prime movers perform the main action.
  • Antagonists oppose the prime mover.
  • Synergists assist the prime mover.

Effects of Aging

• Skeletal system: loss of calcium salts, collagen, bone weakening, reduced flexibility of joints and thinning of cartilage.
• Muscular system: gradual loss of muscle cells, loss of power, postural changes potentially leading to decrease in height.

Test your knowledge on the skeletal system, including the types and functions of bones, as well as the various types of joints. This quiz covers essential concepts related to skeletal structures, movements, and their importance in the human body.