The Skeleton Flashcards
The skeleton (intro)
the skeleton provides the supportive framework for the body. This framework is made up of a series of bones which are connected by joints and movement is achieved by muscle action
5 Functions of the skeleton
- Provides support for soft tissue, e.g. muscle
- Is the basis for movement.
- Provides protection of vital organs.
- Blood cell formation.
- Is a store for minerals.
Function 1 - Support
Provides support for soft tissue, e.g. muscle
Function 2 - Basis of Movement
Is the basis for movement: muscle attaches to bone and contraction of the muscle results in movement of the bones. Muscles are string that pull levers (bones)
Function 3 - Protection
Provides protection of vital organs. e.g. cranium protects the brain and ribs protect lungs and heart
Function 4 - Blood cell formation
Blood cell formation. Some bones contain red marrow which produces white and red blood cells and platelets
Function 5 - Mineral store
Is a store for minerals. Bone tissue stores several mineral, e.g. calcium, until required by the body
5 Types of bone
- Long bones
- Flat bones
- Short bones
- Irregular bones
- Sesamoid bones
Long bones
usually found in limbs, long bones are longer than they are wides and consist of a shaft with two ends
Flat bones
mainly protective, e.g. skull and ribs
Short bones
aka, cuboidal (like a cube) they have equal dimensions e.g. carpals
Irregular
don’t fit any other category e.g. vertebrae, scapular, pelvis
Sesamoid
Not connected to the skeleton but found in tendons to increase the mechanical advantage of the muscle, e.g. patella
Epiphysis
end. made of spongy bone which is able to resist stress and has red marrow
diaphysis
shaft. made of compact bone, contains medullary cavity containing yellow marrow
