ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LECTURE

ASSIGNMENT (SKELETAL SYSTEM)

1. How does the skeletal system function to protect the body? Give a few examples.
 The skeletal system is our body’s central framework. It consists of bones
and connective tissue, including cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It’s also
called the musculoskeletal system. The main function of these bones is to
protect the internal organs and reduce the risk of injury on impact. For
example, the cranium protects the brain, the ribs protect the heart, and the
pelvis protects our sensitive reproductive organs.

2. In addition to providing structure and protection, what other functions does the
skeletal system perform?
 Aside from providing structure and protection, the skeletal system performs
several important body functions:
Support – Bones, the “steel girders” and “reinforced concrete” of
the body, form the internal framework that supports the body and
cradles its soft organs.
Allow movement – Skeletal muscles, attached to bones by
tendons, use the bones as levers to move the body and its parts.
As a result, we can breathe, walk, swim, and throw a ball.
Storage – Fat is stored in the internal (marrow) cavities of bones.
The bone itself serves as a storehouse for minerals, the most
important of which are calcium and phosphorus.
Blood cell formation – Blood cell formation, or hematopoiesis,
occurs within the marrow cavities of certain bones.
3. What is the basic functional unit of compact bone?
 The osteon is the main functional unit of the compact bone and is
composed of numerous concentric circles of tissue called lamellae. In the
center of the osteon will be the osteonic canal which is home to many blood
vessels and nerve fibers.

4. What are some differences between spongy and compact bone?

 Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is dense and looks smooth and
homogenous, and is present in the outer layer of long bones whereas
spongy bone, also called cancellous or trabecular bone, has a spiky,
open appearance like a sponge, and is present in the middle of the long
bones.

5. What glands are responsible for secreting hormones that maintain calcium
homeostasis?
 Parathyroid hormone is secreted from four parathyroid glands, which are
small glands in the neck, located behind the thyroid gland. Parathyroid
hormone regulates calcium levels in the blood, largely by increasing the
levels when they are too low.

6. What are the two divisions of the skeletal system?

 The skeleton is divided into two parts:
Axial Skeleton – the bones that form the longitudinal axis of the
body. It serves to protect the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs. It
also serves as the attachment site for muscles that move the head,
neck, and back, and for muscles that act across the shoulder and hip
joints to move their corresponding limbs.
Appendicular Skeleton – the bones of the limbs and girdles that
attach them to axial skeleton joints give these parts of the skeleton
flexibility and allow movement to occur.
7. What are the different types of bones? Define each.
 There are four different types of bone in the human body:
Long bone – has a long, thin shape. Examples include the bones of
the arms and legs (excluding the wrists, ankles, and kneecaps). With the
help of muscles, long bones work as levers to permit movement.
Short bone – has a squat, cubed shape. Examples include the
bones that make up the wrists and the ankles.
Flat bone – has a flattened, broad surface. Examples include ribs,
shoulder blades, breastbone, and skull bones.
Irregular bone – has a shape that does not conform to the above
three types. Examples include the bones of the spine (vertebrae).

bsb2022
References

Better Health. (2012). Bones. Vic.gov.au.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/bones
Biga, L. M., Dawson, S., Harwell, A., Hopkins, R., Kaufmann, J., LeMaster, M.,
Matern, P., Morrison-Graham, K., Quick, D., & Runyeon, J. (2019). 7.1 Divisions of
the Skeletal System. Oregonstate.education; OpenStax/Oregon State University.
https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/7-1-divisions-of-the-skeletal-
system/
Cleveland Clinic. (2019, November 19). Skeletal System. Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21048-skeletal-system
Society for Endocrinology. (2018). Parathyroid hormone | You and Your Hormones
from the Society for Endocrinology. Yourhormones.info.
https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/parathyroid-hormone/
The main functions of the skeletal system - Skeletal system - OCR - GCSE Physical
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(2022). Study.com. https://homework.study.com/explanation/the-basic-functional-
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