Introduction to the skeleton

Question 1

How many bones are there in the human skeleton? And how many joints?

Answer 1

206 bones and over 200 joints

Question 2

How are the bones bound together?

Answer 2

By connective tissues called ligaments

Question 3

The skeleton comprises of which bones?

Answer 3

> The long bones of the arms and legs > The short bones of the hands and feet that enable the body to move > The vertebrae of the spine and the bones of the pelvis providing support > The rib cage and skull, which serve to protect vital organs

Question 4

How are the bones of the skeleton controlled?

Answer 4

They are controlled by the nervous system, which cause contractions of the skeletal muscles

Question 5

How are bones attached to muscles?

Answer 5

By cords or strands of strong tissue known as tendons

Question 6

Name the bones of the body

Answer 6

See picture in photos

Question 7

What are the 5 main functions of the body?

Answer 7

1. support, to provide form and structure to the body
2. protects the internal organs
3. produces red and white blood cells amd platelets, which are formed in bone marrow
4. acts as a store for calcium and phosphorus
5. facilitates movement, thus enabling the body to perform physical work using bones and joints as levers

Question 8

What is a joint or articulation?

Answer 8

A point of contact between bones. Some joints are fixed (e.g. rib cage) and some are moveable (e.g. knee)

Question 9

Where are the 11 joints (links) in the body?

Answer 9

1. Head and neck
2. Thoracic vertebrae
3. Shoulder girdle
4. Arm
5. Forearm
6. Hand
7. Lumbar vertebrae
8. Pelvis
9. Thigh
10. Lower leg
11. Foot

Question 10

What is cartilage?

Answer 10

a firm flexible connective tissue consisting of a dense network of collagen fibres and elastic fibres

Question 11

What are the 3 types of cartilage?

Answer 11

1. Hyaline cartilage (gristle), the most abundant cartilage in the body, which are found at the end of bones
2. Fibrocartilage, an example of which is the outer fibrous ring of intervertabral discs
3. Elastic cartilage which maintains the shape of certain organs

Question 12

What is the infant skeleton composed of?

Answer 12

The infant skeleton is composed of pieces of hyaline cartilage that are loosly shaped like bones and these form bone in adulthood. In an adult, cartilage covers the ends of bones and is found at joints between bones.

Question 13

What are ligaments?

Answer 13

short cord like bands of white fibrous connective tissue that are tough and flexible, which:

1. link bones together while allowing movement to take place
2. withstand tension
3. give the joint stability and restrict excessive movement at the joint

Question 14

What are tendons?

Answer 14

Tendons are white fibrous cords of dense, regularly arranged connective tissues which link muscles to bone

Question 15

What happens if there is prolonged tension on cartilage, ligaments or tendons?

Answer 15

Prolonged tension on these tissues may result in a tear. It is important to remember that although bones will unite relatively easily and quickly, damaged cartilage, ligaments and tendons may take a long time to heal. Part of the reason for this is that bones unlike some other tissues, are well supplied with blood.