Skeletal System Flashcards
What is the Skeletal System?
Supports and protects the body, provides a framework for movement, stores minerals, and manufactures blood.
What is the Role of the Skeletal System?
The skeletal system provides support for the entire body, enables movement, protects vital organs and plays an important role in blood cell production, endocrine regulation and calcium storage.
What are the 6 main functions of the skeleton?
- Support
- Attachment
- Movement
- Protection
- Blood cell production
- Storage
Support (function of the skeleton):
The skeleton provides a framework that supports the body, allowing humans to maintain their shape.
Attachment (function of the skeleton):
The bones of the skeleton provide an attachment surface for muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Movement (function of the skeleton):
Muscles attach to the bones via. tendon. This tendon is attached to a joint to provide movement when the muscle is contracted.
Protection (function of the skeleton):
The skeleton protects many vital organs.
Blood Cell Production (function of the skeleton):
The skeleton is the site of haematopoiesis, the generation of blood cells, which happens in the red bone marrow.
Storage (function of the skeleton):
Bone serves as a mineral storage deposit in which nutrients can be stored and retrieved. The most notable is calcium.
What are the 5 types of bones?
- Long bone
- Short bone
- Flat bone
- Sesamoid bone
- Irregular
What is a long bone?
Long bones are longer than they are wide. They are comprised mostly of compact bone but are generally thick enough to contain considerable spongy bone and marrow in the hollow centre. Most bones of the limbs are long bones. The classification refers to the shape rather than the size.
Examples of long bones:
Femur, tibia, ulna, radius, phalanges, humerus, fibula
What is a short bone?
Short bones are roughly cube-shaped and have only a thin layer of compact bone surrounding a spongy interior. They’re approximately as wide as they are long.
Examples of short bones:
Trapezoid, carpus, tarsals, scaphoid bone
What is a flat bone?
Flat bones are strong, bones that enable muscular attachment and protection of vital organs.
Examples of flat bones:
Occipital, nasal, hip bone, sternum, ribs
What is an irregular bone?
Irregular bones do not fit into the above categories. They consist of thin layers of compact bone surrounding a spongy interior. As implied by the name, their shapes are irregular and complicated.
Examples of irregular bones:
Vertebrae (sacrum, coccyx, mandible)
What is a sesamoid bone?
Sesamoid bones are usually small, irregular-shaped bones that are embedded in tendons. The patella is an example of a sesamoid bone that sits within the quadriceps tendon.