Unit 1 - Anatomy for Sport and Exercise Science - The Skeletal System

Question 1

What are the five 5 functions of the skeletal system?

Answer 1

Protection
Support and Structure
Movement
Blood Production
Mineral Storage

Question 2

Briefly describe how the skeletal system protects the body.

Answer 2

Act to protect vital organs within the human body. For example, the cranium protects the brain and the thoracic cage protects the heart and lungs.

Question 3

Briefly describe how the skeletal system supports the body

Answer 3

The skeletal system maintains the structure of the human body, predetermined by genetics. The vertebrae ensures that the body remains upright.

Question 4

Briefly describe how the skeletal system generates movement.

Answer 4

Tendons and skeletal muscle attached to bones act as levers, generating movement when the muscle contracts and relaxes.

Question 5

Briefly describe how the skeletal system produces blood.

Answer 5

Blood production occurs within the bone marrow, where red and white blood cells form through hematopoiesis.

Question 6

Briefly describe why the skeleton stores minerals.

Answer 6

Calcium storage aids with bone growth and repair, whilst phosphorous stores aid with bone development in the womb.

Question 7

What are the two main parts of the human skeleton?

Answer 7

The Axial and Appendicular

Question 8

Describe the axial and it’s main functions.

Answer 8

The center-most part of the skeleton, consisting of 80 bones and made up of the cranium, thoracic cage and the vertebrae. Responsible for the protection of vital organs; maintaining the structure of the human body; and acting as attachment points for other bones and skeletal muscle.

Question 9

Describe the appendicular and its main functions.

Answer 9

Makes up the extremities of the body, consisting of 126 bones, including long bones such as the femur and humerus. Responsible for generating movement, and the majority of blood production.

Question 10

What are the five (5) bone types?

Answer 10

Short
Long
Flat
Irregular
Sesamoid

Question 11

Describe short bones and their main functions.

Answer 11

Short bones and wider than they are long and are used for fine movement. They are also weight-bearing. Examples include the tarsals in your feet and carpals in your hands.

Question 12

Describe long bones and their main functions.

Answer 12

Long bones consist of a long shaft, making them longer than they are wide. They are responsible for creating movement, as well as producing blood cells within bone marrow. Examples include the femur and humerus.

Question 13

Describe flat bones are their main functions.

Answer 13

Limited to no movement with a a large surface area to act as attachment points for muscle and other bones. An example is the ilium in the hip. Flat bones are also protective.

Question 14

Describe irregular bones and their main functions.

Answer 14

They are irregular in shape and size, are protective and act as attachment points. An example is the vertebrae that protects the CNS and acts as an attachment point for the thoracic cage.

Question 15

Describe Sesamoid bones and their main functions.

Answer 15

Sesamoid bones are found embedded in tendons and work to protect them, ensuring the tendons cannot overstretch, whilst assisting with movement. An example is the patella that protects the ACL as well as the other main ligaments in the knee.

Question 16

What are the three joint types?

Answer 16

Cartilaginous
Fibrous
Synovial

Question 17

Describe fibrous joints and their main functions.

Answer 17

Fibrous joints have no movement and consist of multiple bones that are fused together by tight fibers. They mainly act as protection but can also act as attachment points. An example is the cranium which has eight (8) bones fused together to protect the brain and acts as an attachment point for the vertebrae.

Question 18

Describe Cartilaginous joints and their main functions.

Answer 18

Cartilaginous joints allow for restricted movement that is limited by ligaments that are located around the joint. They also contain cartilage to absorb impact and reduce friction, preventing bone erosion. An example is the vertebrae that allows limited movement whilst protecting the CNS.

Question 19

Describe synovial joints and their main functions.

Answer 19

The structure of synovial joints allow for a wide range of movement across multiple axis. They contain synovial fluid which becomes less viscous when heated, aiding with movement by acting as lubrication for the joint. They also contain a layer of cartilage to prevent bone erosion.

Question 20

What are the 6 types of synovial joint?

Answer 20

Ball and socket,
Condyloid/ellipsoid
Saddle
Hinge
Plane/Gliding
Pivot

Question 21

Describe a ball and socket joint (with examples)

Answer 21

The ball-in-socket structure allows for movement in all 3 axis.
Allows for flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, and circumduction.
Deep sockets allow for more stability (acetabulofemoral joint in the hip)
Shallower sockets allow for a larger range of movement ( glenohumeral joint in the shoulder)

Question 22

Describe a condylloid joint (with examples)

Answer 22

Similar to a ball and socket joint, however, the ovoid shape limits rotation.
Allows for flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and circumduction
Also allows for pro/supination and dorsi/plantarflexion
Radiocarpal joint in the wrist allows for supination and pronation.

Question 23

Describe a hinge joint (with examples)

Answer 23

Structure only allows for movement in one axis (flexion and extension)
The humeroulnar joint in the elbow is a good example of a hinge joint

Question 24

Describe a plane/gliding joint.

Answer 24

Consists of two flat surfaces that glide over each other.

Gliding joints are found in groups, such as the carpals in the hand and tarsals in the foot.

Question 25

Describe a saddle joint (with examples)

Answer 25

Rotation in a saddle joint is limited by the structure, where both bones have concave and convex surfaces pressed against each other.
The carpometacarpal in the thumb is an example of a saddle joint - allows for flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, circumduction and slight rotation.

Question 26

Describe a pivot joint (with examples).

Answer 26

Only allows for rotation in one axis (pronation and supination)
Radioulnar joint in the forearm allows for pronation and supination in the wrist