The Skeletal System Flashcards
What is the function of the skeletal system?
Provides support, protection, storage and movement
What is the skeletal system made up of?
- skeleton
- muscles
- cartilage (flexible connective tissue that protects joints and bones)
- tendons (attaches muscles to bones)
- ligaments (attaches bone to bone)
- joints
What are the sections in the vertebral column?
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Lumbar
- Sacral
- Caudial
What is the cervical?
The section of the vertebrae in your neck.
- it has 7 vertebrae
- atlas - helps head to nod
Axis - helps head to rotate
What is the thoracic?
The central section of the vertebrae.
- it has 11 vertebrae
Limbs are attached to it
What is the lumbar?
The section of the vertebrae in the lower back.
- there are seven vertebrae
What is the sacral?
The part of the vertebrae that links the spine with the hips
- it has three vertebrae that fuse in older dogs
What is the caudal?
The part of the vertebrae that makes up the tail.
- it has 15-19 vertebrae
What are the six types of bone?
- flat
- short
- long
- irregular
- pneumonic
- sesamoid
What is a long bone
Bones that are longer than they are wide.
- provide mechanical strength
- e.g femur and tibia
What is a short bone?
Cube shaped bones that aid in multi-directional motion.
- e.g. Carpal and tarsal bones
What are flat bones?
Thin and flat bones that have a large surface area for muscle attachments.
- e.g cranial bones and ribs
What are irregular bones?
Bones that cannot be classified as long, short or flat.
- e.g. vertebrae and facial bones
What are sesamoid bones?
Small bones often embedded in muscles and tendons
E.g. the patella
What are pneumatic bones?
Hollow bones filled with air, found in birds to reduce weight.
What is the skeletal muscle?
A type of muscle tissue that:
- has high levels of mitochondria
- contracts quickly to produce movement
- tires easily
How have cetaceans (like whales) adapted their skull?
It is elongated and there may be a presence of a blowhole
How have cetaceans (like whales) adapted their hyoid bone?
Large to attach the tongue and thought to help movement
How have cetaceans (like whales) adapted their neck vertebrae?
It’s more compact to allow for faster swimming and diving
How have cetaceans (like whales) adapted their limbs?
They’ve been modified into flippers and the number of phalanges has increased to help swimming and maintaining the fins shape.
How have birds adapted for flight?
- they have pneumatic (hollow) bones to keep lightweight
- their lower vertebrae is fused to remain stiff while flying
- keeled breastbone for wing muscles to anchor to
How have bats adapted for flight?
Their arm and finger bones are elongated
The ulna (bone in forearm) is smaller and has fused with the radius (bone in forearm) for support
How have lagomorphs (like rabbits) adapted for hopping?
- long hind limbs
- strong pelvic girdle (bones around the base of the spine)
How have cheetahs adapted for running?
- increased curvature of the spin (increase stride length)
- hips can pivot so hind legs can stretch further
- shoulder blades aren’t attached to collarbone for greater flexibility
- large nasal cavities increase oxygen intake
- long and slender leg bones for longer stride
How have horses adapted for running?
- large shoulder blades so more muscles can attach to them for better movement
- long leg bones to cover more ground
