The Skeleton

Question 1

The skeleton (intro)

Answer 1

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

Question 2

5 Functions of the skeleton

Answer 2

1. Provides support for soft tissue, e.g. muscle
2. Is the basis for movement.
3. Provides protection of vital organs.
4. Blood cell formation.
5. Is a store for minerals.

Question 3

Function 1 - Support

Answer 3

Provides support for soft tissue, e.g. muscle

Question 4

Function 2 - Basis of Movement

Answer 4

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)

Question 5

Function 3 - Protection

Answer 5

Provides protection of vital organs. e.g. cranium protects the brain and ribs protect lungs and heart

Question 6

Function 4 - Blood cell formation

Answer 6

Blood cell formation. Some bones contain red marrow which produces white and red blood cells and platelets

Question 7

Function 5 - Mineral store

Answer 7

Is a store for minerals. Bone tissue stores several mineral, e.g. calcium, until required by the body

Question 8

5 Types of bone

Answer 8

1. Long bones
2. Flat bones
3. Short bones
4. Irregular bones
5. Sesamoid bones

Question 9

Long bones

Answer 9

usually found in limbs, long bones are longer than they are wides and consist of a shaft with two ends

Question 10

Flat bones

Answer 10

mainly protective, e.g. skull and ribs

Question 11

Short bones

Answer 11

aka, cuboidal (like a cube) they have equal dimensions e.g. carpals

Question 12

Irregular

Answer 12

don’t fit any other category e.g. vertebrae, scapular, pelvis

Question 13

Sesamoid

Answer 13

Not connected to the skeleton but found in tendons to increase the mechanical advantage of the muscle, e.g. patella

Question 14

Epiphysis

Answer 14

end. made of spongy bone which is able to resist stress and has red marrow

Question 15

diaphysis

Answer 15

shaft. made of compact bone, contains medullary cavity containing yellow marrow

Question 16

Metaphysis

Answer 16

between the epiphysis and the diaphysis. It contains the growth plate

Question 17

Epiphyseal plate

Answer 17

growth plate. made of cartilage. the part of the bone that grows during childhood and as it grows, it ossifies near the diaphysis and the epiphyses and is replaced by bone

Question 18

articular cartilage

Answer 18

Cartilage covering the epiphysis where it forms a joint. The cartilage reduces friction and helps with shock absorption

Question 19

Periostium

Answer 19

covering. a highly sensitive sheath surrounding the whole bone except the articular cartilage. it contains many blood vessels and nerves and is important for bone width growth and attachment for ligaments and tendons

Question 20

Medullary cavity

Answer 20

central cavity. marrow. the space in the shaft that contains yellow marrow in adults

Question 21

Axial skeleton

Answer 21

skull, mandible, vertebrae, pelvis, sternum, ribs

Question 22

Appendicular skeleton

Answer 22

the bones that help us move around, anything ‘hanging off’ axial skeleton. clavicle, scapular, humorous, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, talus, calcaneous, tarsals, metatarsals, other phalanges

Question 23

The spine

Answer 23

aka. vertebral column, is composed of a number of vertebrae placed one above the other. All vertebrae have common structure with variations depending on the different areas except for the atlas and axis (c1 and c2)

Question 24

levels of vertebrae

Answer 24

cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal

Question 25

cervical

Answer 25

7 vertebrae. the smallest vertebrae with holes in the transverse processes for the vertebral artery. lordosis curve

Question 26

thoracic

Answer 26

12 vertebrae. have extra areas for rib attachment and a long spinous process. kyphosis curve

Question 27

lumbar

Answer 27

5 vertebrae. have large bodies to carry extra weight and wide processes for the many muscle attachments. lordosis curve.

Question 28

sacral

Answer 28

5 vertebrae. these vertebrae are fused and form the sacrum. kyphosis curve.

Question 29

coccygeal

Answer 29

3-4 vertebrae. fused to form the coccyx

Question 30

spinal curves

Answer 30

the spine develops from one curve to form 4 curves which give the spine the ability to efficiently absorb shock while still allowing stability and movement.

Question 31

Normal posture

Answer 31

Normal posture has curves which should not be “flattened out” as this reduces shock absorption and may cause injury

Question 32

exaggeration of curves

Answer 32

exaggeration of a curve in one area, usually the lower back or neck, means in order to keep the head above the pelvis other curves will be exaggerated to compensate. This is not only aesthetically displeasing but leads to extra joint strain and ligaments and muscles are at risk of injury

Question 33

Types of curves

Answer 33

Kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis

Question 34

Kyphosis

Answer 34

a normal backward curve found in the thoracic and sacral area

Question 35

Lordosis

Answer 35

A normal forward curve found in the cervical and lumbar area

Question 36

scoliosis

Answer 36

An abnormal sideways curve which can occur anywhere but is usually in the thoracic or upper lumber area