Skeletal system
Skeletal System Basics
- The skeletal system consists of all the bones in the human body along with the joints, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
- It serves as a framework giving the body its shape, and offers support and protection for various organs.
- It is also involved in movement, with muscles attached to bones via tendons, and assists in haematopoiesis, the generation of new blood cells.
Bone Structure and Types
- Each bone is made up of osseous tissue, a type of hard, dense connective tissue.
- Bones can be classified into four types: long bones(e.g. femur and humerus), short bones (e.g. bones in the wrist and ankle), flat bones (e.g. scapula and skull), and irregular bones (e.g. vertebrae and jaw).
- Each bone consists of a hard outer layer (compact bone) and a spongy inner layer (cancellous bone), and contains bone marrow.
The Axial and Appendicular Skeleton
- The skeleton is divided into two main parts: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.
- The axial skeleton comprises the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage, essentially providing support and protection for the body and internal organs.
- The appendicular skeleton consists of the limbs and girdles, allowing for a wide range of movement that is necessary for locomotion and manipulation of the environment.
Joints and Movement
- Bones are connected to other bones through joints, which facilitate movement.
- There are three types of joints: fibrous joints (immovable, e.g. the joints in the skull), cartilaginous joints (slightly movable, e.g. the joints between vertebrae), and synovial joints (freely movable, e.g. knee, hip).
- Synovial joints, housing a cavity filled with synovial fluid, allow for a variety of movements including flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, rotation and circumduction.
Skeletal System and Exercise
- Regular physical activity strengthens not just muscles but also the bones, helping to decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
- High impact or weight bearing exercises promote increased bone density.
- Improper or excessive exercise can lead to skeletal injuries such as sprains, strains and fractures.
- Knowledge of the skeletal system and its operations is crucial to devising safe and effective exercise regimens.
By understanding the skeletal system, you'll be better able to understand how exercise impacts the body, how to minimize injury risk, and how to drive better performance in sports and exercise programmes.