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.