Skeleton Flashcards
Functions of the skeleton
~ Support
~ Protection
~ Movement
~ Production of blood cells
Structure of the Human Skeleton
It has 206 bones and is divided in two sections ; Axial skeleton and Appendicular skeleton
Skull
Fused together
Spine
~ Consists of 33 bones called the vertebrae
~ There is a disc of cartilage between each vertebrae
Ribcage
Consists of the sternum and 12 pairs of ribs
Vertebra
~ Top 24 vertebrae are held together by ligaments and can slightly move
~ The last 9 are fused together and there are no discs between them, no movement occurs here
Region and number of vertebrae
~ Cervical = 7
~ Thoracic = 12
~ Lumbar = 5
~ Sacrum = 5
~ Coccyx = 4
Parts of appendicular skeleton
~ Pectoral girdle : Connects vertebral column and the arms
~ Pelvic girdle : Composed of two halves of the hip joined to the sacrum
Cartilage
~ Function : Shock absorber
~ Made of fibrous protein called collagen
~ Slower to heal than bone
~ No blood vessels or nerves
~ Found in the pinna of the ear, the nose, the trachea, the discs between the vertebrae and it covers the end of bones
What is a long bone?
Femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, radius and ulna
Parts of the long bone
~ Compact bone
~ Spongy bone
~ Medullary cavity
Compact bone
~ Formed from many minerals and proteins
~ Found in the diaphysis (shaft) of the bone
~ Function : Calcium gives strength and protein gives flexibility
Spongy bone
~ Consists of red bone marrow
~ Found in the epiphysis (each end) of the bone
~ Gives strength to the skeleton
Medullary cavity
Function : Produces yellow bone marrow
Function of bone marrow
~ Red bone marrow : Produce blood cells
~ Yellow bone marrow : Store fat
Bone growth
Osteoblasts (anabolic) : Bone forming cells which produce the protein collagen
Growth plate
~ The increase in the length of a bone is due to a growth plate made of cartilage
~ Found in our long bones between the diaphysis and the epiphysis
Bone development
~ Osteoclasts (catabolic) : Bone digesting cells
~ They deposit calcium from the bones that were broken down into the blood
Renewal of bone
- Physical activity : Causes bones to become thicker and stronger
- Hormone level : Growth hormone and sex hormones increase the size of bones
- Diet : Rich in calcium and vitamin D for strong bones
Joints
Where two or more bones meet
Immovable joints
~ Known as fixed or fused joints e.g. skull, pelvic girdle
~ Provide strength, support and protection
Slightly movable joints
Joints between the vertebrae, are slightly movable
Freely movable joints / Synovial joints
~ Ball and socket : Bone can move in all directions e.g. shoulder and hip
~ Hinge joint : Can move in one direction only e.g. elbow and knee
Synovial fluid
Is produced on movable joints to lubricate and reduce friction
Tendons vs Ligaments
Tendons connect muscle to bone, ligaments connect bone to bone (There Must Be Love Before Babies)
Skeletal muscle
~ It is under voluntary control
~ Attached to the bone
Smooth muscle
~ It is under involuntary control
~ Found in internal structures e.g. digestive system, blood vessels etc.
Cardiac muscle
~ It is under involuntary control
~ Found in the heart
Antagonistic pairs
~ A pair of muscles that work with opposing actions
~ E.g. bicep and tricep, bicep contract to bend arm and tricep contract to straighten arm
Arthritis
~ Cause : Wear and tear
~ Treatment : Physiotherapy
~ Prevention : Avoid running on hard surfaces (e.g. roads)
