ANATOMY: Introduction to the Skeletal System

SKELETON
- 206 bones
- Provide form and support
- Protect inner organs
- Help performing movements

The skeleton can be divided into an

axial and an appendicular skeleton.

Axial skeleton
- consists of the bones of the head, neck and trunk

Appendicular skeleton
- consists of the bones of the upper and lower limbs
‼️ Bones of the axial and appendicular skeletons are further classified
based on their shape as long, short, flat, sesamoid, and irregular bones.

‼️ The surface of many bones is rather rough, with many bumps and
depressions, called bone markings.
‼️ Bone markings that form bony depressions and holes, which include
notches, fossae, and foramina.

‼️ Bone markings that help in joining bones, which include the head,
condyle, epicondyle, and facet.
‼️ Bone extensions and projections, which include protuberances, spinous
processes, spines, trochanters, tubercles, tuberosities, malleoli, lines, crests,
and grooves.
‼️
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LONG BONES
Diaphysis describes the middle, or shaft of a
long bone
- Epiphysis describes its proximal and distal
ends.
- Near the epiphysis, the diaphysis becomes a
bit wider, forming the metaphysis.

- Between the metaphysis and the epiphysis is a layer of

cartilage, called the epiphyseal plate, or growth plate,
which allows these bones to keep growing during infancy,
childhood and early adulthood.
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JOINTS
the junction points between two or more bones
- three categories of joints based on their structure
1. fibrous,
2. cartilaginous, and
3. synovial joints
MAIN TYPES OF SYNOVIAL JOINTS

1. Uniaxial synovial joints

- these are joints that move around a single axis, and they include
the plane, hinge and pivot joints

● Plane joint
- describes a small joint between
two flat bony surfaces,
allowing for slight gliding, or
sliding movements

- typically, this type of joint is

found between the clavicle and
the acromion of the scapula or
between the wrist and ankle
bones
 ● Hinge joint
- looks and acts similarly to a door
hinge, only allowing flexion and
extension, like at the elbow joint
between the humerus and forearm
bones

● Pivot joint
- made of a bony process that fits into another bone, allowing
rotational movement around a single axis

- an example of this joint is

the atlantoaxial joint in the
neck, which connects the
atlas, the first vertebra of
the spine, with the axis,
which is the second
vertebra. This joint allows
for rotation of the head, like
when you shake your head
“no”

2. Biaxial synovial joints

- which allow movements to occur in two planes

● Saddle joint
- consists of one convex
surface fitting into
another concave
surface, resembling a
person sitting on a
horse’s saddle
 ● Condyloid joint
- which is similar to the saddle, but since its articulating surfaces
are ellipsoid, its circumduction is much more limited and
movement is usually greater in one axis than in the other

3. Multiaxial synovial joints

- can rotate about all three reference axes

● ball-and-socket joints
- which allow a much further range of motion, on multiple
planes
★ Joints, like any other tissue, require blood supply and innervation.

★ Their arterial supply comes from articular arteries, which are branches
from neighboring arteries that run in the joint capsule and anastomose, or
form network connections with each other, in order to reach all parts of
the joint.

★ The waste is then removed from the joint by the articular veins, which
accompany the arteries.

★ Joint innervation is also important for providing pain sensation, as well

proprioceptive signals that carry information about the movement and
position of the body.
‼️
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ACCESSORY LIGAMENT
strong fibrous bands of connective tissue

- these ligaments strengthen the joint, stabilize it, and allow movement in
only certain directions, basically holding the bones together and
preventing their dislocation
QUIZ YOURSELF!

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