Structure of Skeleton Flashcards
What are some functions of the skeleton
Support, movement, protection, storage of minerals
Compact Bone
Strong, good at transmitting force in one direction
Cancellous Bone
Light, spongey, shock absorbing, resists and channels forces from multiple directions
Long Bones
Longer than they are wide, composed of wider epiphyses (top and bottom of bone) and narrower diaphysis (middle of bone), acts as levers for movement, thicker compact bone in diaphysis, mostly limb bones
Short bones
Close to equal length and width, weight bearing, shock absorbing, found primarily in hands and feet, mostly cancellous bone
Flat Bone
Function for muscle attachment and protection, thin plates of compact and cancellous bone
Irregular Bone
Various shapes and functions, often have a foramen
Axial Skeleton
Bones of core, primarily to protect, mostly flat bones
Skull
Part of axial skeleton, cranium protects brain and facial bones
Protects and supports sensory organs
Vertebral Column
Part of axial skeleton, keeps trunk upright, supports head. 7 Cervical, 12 Thoracic, 5 Lumbar and sacrum and coccyx
Rib Cage
Part of the axial skeleton, protects hearts and lungs, 12 ribs
Appendicular Skeleton
Limb bones, primarily for movement, single proximal long bone (humerus, femur), two distal long bones (ulna and radius, tibia and fibula), hands and feet
What bones are in the pectoral and pelvic girdle?
Pectoral girdle : clavicle and scapula
Pelvic girdle : hip, sacrum, pelvis
Why is there a difference in the shape of male and female pelvis’s?
- Female pelvic cavity and outlet is more circular, wider subpubic angle and straighter coccyx
- For child birth
Why is the human skeleton this shape?
Humans are bipedal - walk on 2 limbs
Human lower limb needs stability and movement
Not involved in locomotion
Loss of stability from hands
Adapted for precision
