Skeletal system
Skeletal System Overview
- The skeletal system is made up of bones, cartilage and connective tissues.
- Provides a solid framework for the body, protecting internal organs and allows movement.
- Stores minerals like calcium and produces blood cells.
Types of Bones
- Long bones such as the femur - assist with movement and support.
- Short bones such as the bones in the wrist and ankle - provide stability and some degree of movement.
- Flat bones such as the sternum - provide protection of vital organs and a place for muscles to attach.
- Irregular bones such as the vertebrae and some facial bones - have complicated shapes to fulfil special functions.
Structure of Bones
- The periosteum, an outer thin layer of tissue, contains nerves and blood vessels that nourish the bone.
- The compact bone, the hard outer layer, provides strength.
- The spongy bone, a honeycomb-like layer inside the compact bone, houses bone marrow.
- Bone marrow is where new blood cells are produced.
Joints
- Joints are where two or more bones meet.
- Fixed joints like in the skull allow no movement.
- Slightly movable joints like the vertebrae allow limited movement.
- Freely movable joints or synovial joints, like the knee, allow full range of movement.
Muscular Attachment
- Muscles attach to bones to facilitate movement.
- When muscles contract, they pull on the bones causing them to move.
- Muscles are typically attached to bones via tendons.
Bone Health
- Healthy diet and regular exercise promote good bone health.
- Lack of exercise can lead to bone density loss, which makes bones fragile.
- Lack of calcium in diet can weaken bones (osteoporosis).
Skeletal System in Sport
- Understanding the skeletal system is crucial in sport for improving performance and avoiding injury.
- Proper biomechanics, like alignment and positioning, depend on the skeletal system.
- Endurance training can improve the strength of the skeletal system.