THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

I. Introduction

The exercises in this laboratory manual will enable you to gain knowledge about the
skeletal system, the organs associated with the system, their functions, how are they being
classified, and the division of the human skeleton with the joints and articulations.

II. Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the functions of the skeletal system.
2. Name the bones of the axial and appendicular skeletons
3. Demonstrate type of joint movements

III. Concepts/Explanation

The skeletal system gives form and shape to the body. Without the skeletal components
you would appear as big “blobs” inefficiently “oozing” around on the ground. Besides
contributing to shape and form, your bones perform several other functions and play an
important role in homeostasis. In all, you have 206 bones in your body.

Figure 9. The skeletal system

IV. Laboratory Exercises

Before you begin the activities, do the following:

o Read the chapter on skeletal system in your textbook/module or go to:
https://www.visiblebody.com/learn/skeleton.
o Scan the objectives you are expected to accomplish during this laboratory session.
o Prepare the materials needed:
 Articulated skeleton  Illustration of a long, short, flat and
irregular bones.

1
 Activity 1. Identifying the Bones of the Axial and Appendicular skeleton on an illustration
below.
Cranium
Skull Facial bones
Bones of
Clavicle Pectoral girdle
Thoracic Scapula
cage Sternum Upper limb
Rib
Humerus
Vertebral Vertebra
Activity 2: Examining and Classifying Bones
Bones of
Column Radius
Ulna pelvic girdle
Sacrum
Carpals

Figure 10. The axial and appendicular skeleton

The entire bony framework of the body is called the skeleton. It is divided into two main
groups of bones, the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton includes
the skull, spinal column, ribs, and sternum. The appendicular skeleton consists of the bones of
the arms and legs, the pectoral girdle, and the pelvic girdle.

Besides providing framework or shape to our body, what do bones do?

Activity 2. List down and briefly describe the functions of the skeletal system.
Aside from providing framework or shape to our body, our skeletal system also serves as our support system
because our bones and cartilages compose the scaffold that supports the rest of our body and it also facilitates our
movement by serving as points of attachment for our musclesPhalanges
as well as to protect our soft organs by covering or
surrounding them. Our skeletal system can also serve as Metacarpals
a site of mineral with calcium and phosphorus being the most
important mineral stored in our bones and fat storage since Femur
fat is stored in the internal cavities of bones as well as a site for
blood cell formation also called hematopoiesis occurs withinPatella
the marrow cavities of certain bones.
Lower
Limb
Tibia
After listing down the functions of theFibula
skeletal system, examine the illustration of the
skeleton (fig. 10) above. Then, do the next activity.

Activity 3. Classify the bones according

Tarsals
Metatarsals
to its shape. Accomplish the table below.
Phalanges
 Long Short Flat Irregular
 Humerus  Patella  Ribs  Vertebrae
 Radius  Tarsals  Sternum  Sacrum
 Ulna  Carpals  Cranium
 Metacarpal  Scapula
 Phalanges
 Metatarsals
 Tibia
 Fibula
 Femur
 Clavicle

Short bones are generally cube-shape and contain

mostly of spongy bone. Flat bones are thin, flattened,
and usually curved. They are made up of thin layers of
compact bone around a layer of spongy bone. Irregular
bones have irregular shape. They do not fit into other
bone classification categories.

Long bones are typically longer than wide. They

have a shaft with heads at both ends. Long bones contain
mostly of compact bone. The parts of a long bone are the
following: (1) Diaphysis, composed of compact bone, (2)
Epiphysis, the ends of the bone composed mostly of
spongy bone, (3) Periosteum, the outside covering of the
diaphysis, made up of fibrous connective tissue
membrane, (4) Articular cartilage, covers the external surface of
the epiphyses and is made of hyaline cartilage, and (5) Figure 11. Shape of the bones
Medullary cavity, which contains yellow marrow in adults or
contains red marrow in infants.

To know about long bones, do the next activity.

Activity 4: Examining a long bone. Using the illustration of a long bone as a guide, label
each area in the figure below.
Articular
cartilage
The articular cartilage that covers the external
surface of the epiphyses provides a smooth, slippery Proximal
surface that decreases friction at joint surfaces when epiphysis Spongy bone
there is movement. Epiphyseal line
Periosteum
Joints, also called articulations, have two Compact bone
Medullary
functions: they hold the bones together securely, but cavity (lines by
also give the rigid skeleton mobility. Diaphysis endosteum)

To know more about joints, do the next

activity.

Figure 12. The long bone

 Activity 5. Below are types of synovial joints. Fill in the table by identifying an example
of the joint, to which bones it articulates, and the type of movement that occurs with the joint.

Joint Example Bones which Movements that occur

articulate
 Shoulder joints  Scapula and  Allows the greatest
 Hip joints humerus range of motion.
 Movement types are
possible in all
directions.
 Elbow joints  Humerus and  Works like a door
 Knee joints ulna hinge. One bone
 Ankle joints moves while the
 Interphalangeal other remains
joints stationary.
 Acromioclavicualr  Clavicle and  Allow for gliding
and sternoclavicular manubrium movements.
joints
 Intercarpal and
intertarsal joints
 Vertebrocostal joints
 Sacro-iliac joints
 First  Metacarpal bone  Allow angular
carpometacarpal of thumb and movements.
joints trapezium  Can move back and
forth and up and
down.
 Radiocarpal joints  Scaphoid bone  Allows angular
 Metacarpophalangeal  Ulna movement along two
joints 2-5  Radius axes.
 Metatarsophalangeal  Can move both side
joints to side and up and
down.
 Atlas/axis  Atlas  Allow for rotation
 Proximal radio-ulnar  axis around an axis.
joints

Adapted from https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/synovial-joints-worksheet-12163793

Synovial joints (fig. 13) are joints in which the articulating bone ends are separated by a
joint cavity containing a synovial fluid; they account for all joints of the limbs.

Joints are classified in two ways- functionally and structurally. The functional
classification focuses on the amount of movement the joint allows. There are synarthroses
(immovable joints); amphiarthroses (slightly movable joints), and diarthrosis, (freely movable
joints), which predominate in the limbs, where mobility is important. Synarthroses and
amphiarthroses. Immovable and slightly movable joints are restricted mainly to the axial
 skeleton, where firm attachments and protection of in internal organs are priorities.

Figure 13. Types of synovial joints

Structurally, the joints are classifies as fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints; these
classifications are based on whether fibrous tissue, cartilage, or a joint cavity separates the bony
regions at the joint
 V. Laboratory Report Sheet/Checklist (To be submitted at the end of the activity/ies)

Study the photos below, of people taking part in different sports, and decide which bones
they are using in the particular action they are performing (Think of the action. For example, is it
throwing, which involves the arms, or is it making a landing, and if so, using which part of the
body? When you have worked out which part of the body is performing the main task, think of
the bones in that region of the body). Write your answers in the spaces provided

It mostly targets your upper body mainly the posterior region. With this kind
of activity it involves the clavicle. Scapula, bones of pectoral girdle, and all
the bones in the upper limbs.

With ice skating, it is mostly the lower limb responsible for this kind of
activity. With this, it uses the ankle joints, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals,
metatarsals, phalanges as well as the bones of pelvic girdle.

For soccer, we have the lower limb which includes the femur, patella, tibia,
fibula. Tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges. It also includes the bone of pelvic
girdle. It also uses the cranium, ribs and sternum for heading or receiving the
ball. For the goal keeper, it also uses the hands which includes the carpals,
phalanges and metacarpals.

For volleyball, we have the upper limb responsible for the receiving or serving
of the ball which includes; scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, the carpals. It also
uses the phalanges and metacarpals for movement such as setting of the ball.
For the movement of the player itself, it uses the lower limb, specifically the
knee joints which include the femur, patella, tibia and fibula as well as the
tarsal, metatarsals and phalanges for support.

Adapted from http://vle.brighouse.calderdale.sch.uk

Name of Student: Armonia, Alexa Joie C. Year & Section: BSN-1B Date of Submission: 10/13/20