SKELETAL SYSTEM

Hi I am a funny bone

Dem bones dem bones dem dry bones!!Sing it with me

Objectives: Students should be able to:

● Distinguish between the endoskeleton and exoskeleton

● Identify the major bones in the skeleton

● Relate the structure of the skeleton to its function

● Relate the structure of a typical bone to its function

ENDOSKELETON AND EXOSKELETON

Animals can either have an exoskeleton or an endoskeleton. Insects and crustaceans have
exoskeleton and animals such as birds, fishes and of course humans have endoskeleton.

What is an endoskeleton and an exoskeleton?

Endoskeleton is skeleton are formed inside the animal’s body while the exoskeleton is
formed outside the animal’s body.

HUMAN SKELETON

The skeleton in humans is made up of two skeletons, the axial skeleton and the appendicular
skeleton.

Axial skeleton
This part of our skeleton is made up of the skull, sternum, ribs and vertebral column. The
axial skeleton is responsible for supporting the body and protects internal organs

Appendicular skeleton

Appendages which comprises bones found in your arm and leg and the girdles which include

the pectoral girdle and the pelvic girdle. The Appendicular skeleton is responsible for
movement of our bodies.

Axial skeleton

Skull (22 bones)- The skull consists of the cranium , the upper jaw and the lower jaw. The
cranium is comprised of different flattened bones fused together. The fusion of these bones
form cracks called sutures. These bones are separated in children to allow for growth of the
brain but fuse to give added strength for protection in an adult. The skull protects the brain,
the olfactory organs (organs of smell), bones in the ear and protects the eyes.

Ribs and sternum 24 bones (breast bone)

The rib cage is made up 12 pairs of bones joined to the thoracic vertebrae apart of your
backbone and the sternum found at the front. The ribs and the sternum make the rib cage. The
sternum is attached to the ribs by cartilage. The last two pairs of bones at the bottom of the
ribs do not actual join to the sternum and are therefore called floating ribs. The top ribs that
are attached to the sternum are called true ribs. The function of the rib cage is to protect the
heart and the lungs.

Vertebral column (33 bones)- Consists of a series of bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are
held together by ligaments which prevent dislocation. The vertebral column gives the body
support (allows us to stand upright) and protects the spinal cord. There are five bones types of
vertebrae:

1. Cervical vertebrae
2. Thoracic
3. Lumbar
4. Sacral
5. Coccyx

Cervical vertebrae- Sometimes called the neck bone it is found between the base of the skull
and the thoracic vertebrae. It functions to support the skull.

Thoracic vertebrae- These bones support the rib cage as the rib cage is attached to these
bones as mentioned previously.

Lumbar vertebrae- The bones that form the lower back which supports the upper body weight

Sacral vertebrae-These bones fuse to form the sacrum. These vertebrae fuse with the pelvic
girdle and therefore aid in moving forward and any thrusting movement.

Coccyx-This bone stabilizes and supports a person when they sit down.
 Appendicular skeleton 126 bones

Made up of the girdles and appendages

Girdles- There are two types of girdles, the pectoral girdle and the pelvic girdle. The pectoral
girdle is made up of clavicle and the scapula. The bones found in the arms are attached to this
girdle. Therefore the pectoral girdle allows for mobility in the shoulder and upper limbs.
However, the pelvic girdle is made of the pelvis and is attached to the bones in the legs and
helps to support the lower body.

FUN FACT-The pelvis in a female is broader and flatter than a male which allows for easier
passage of the baby during birth.

Table Showing the function of the skeletal system, their adaptation and examples of bones
that serve these functions

Function Adaptations Examples of bones

Movement The muscles that are attached Femur and carpal

to the bones help to bring
about movement

Support The bones help to keep our Vertebral column (cervical,

body upright therefore giving thoracic, lumbar vertebrae)
it its shape. The bones also
support the weight of the
muscles attached to them.

Protection Some bones protect delicate Rib cage and vertebral

organs such as the heart, column
lungs, brain and the spinal
cord because of its tough
outer covering

Cell production Red and white blood cells are Vertebral column, ribs and
made in the red marrow of clavicle
some bones such as the long
bones. At birth and early
childhood the marrow is red
and as a human grows the red
marrow turns to yellow
 marrow.

Storage The bones store calcium and Vertebral column

phosphate ions which are
crucial for the development
of a human

Breathing Intercostal muscles move Ribs and sternum (ribcage)

ribcage up and down ro
increase and decrease volume
of the of the thorax (chest) so
we can breathe

The bones in the human skeletal system (YOU MUST KNOW ALL BONES)

Parts of a bone

Did you know bones are alive??

Yes they are alive because they have blood supply, nerves and living cells that help them to
grow. Bones are made up of cells called osteocytes

Periosteum – A thin membrane that covers the bone. It has the blood vessels and nerves and
provides the bone with nutrients.
Compact bone- Hard outer layer that is strong and durable. This protects the parts inside the
bone.

Spongy bone or cancellous bone- It is a spongy layer that protects the bone marrow.

Bone marrow- Found in almost all bones and is responsible for producing millions of red
blood cells every second. It also makes white blood cells.

Epiphysis- This is the extreme end of a bone where joints are formed.

Diaphysis- This is the shaft of the bone

Metaphysis- Located between the epiphysis and the diaphysis. This is where most growth of
the bone occurs.

Articular cartilage- A layer of cartilage that exists to reduce friction.

 KEY TERMS

Tissue Structure Properties Functions

Bone Tissue of hard matrix Hard and rigid

● Protection
made of calcium ions
and protein
● Support

● Muscle
attachment
for movement

Cartilage Softer tissue Cushioning layer at Prevents bone

compared to bone end of bones rubbing on bone
that is flexible

Tendon Tough matrix Tough and does not Connects bone to

containing collagen stretch muscle

Ligament Tough but slightly Can stretch a little Joins bone to bone.
flexible matrix Allows movement at
containing collagen joints
and elastic fibres

Skeletal muscle Made up of many Can contract

● Allows
muscle fibres
containing proteins movement

● Maintains
posture
 JOINTS

Joints are where two bones meet. They are divided into two groups:

● Immovable or fixed joints-No movement occurs at these joints. For example, where
bones in the cranium meet are immovable joints

● Slightly moveable joints-At this joint there is a small degree of movement. For
example, joints between adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column

● Freely moveable joint/Synovial joint. These joints allow for a great amount of
movement of bones because they contain synovial fluid which reduces friction
between the bones. These joints are the hip and the knuckles.
There are two types of synovial joints:

⮚ Hinge joint- These joints allow movement in one plane, for example, elbow,
knee and finger joints.

⮚ Ball and socket joints- Allow for movement in all planes, for example, at the
hip and shoulder
 LEVER

Lever can be described as a simple machine that makes moving a load very efficient. At
moveable joints we say there is lever action. Let us see why. A lever consists of three parts,
the fulcrum, the effort and the load. Look at the image below and try to define these parts.
Think about a joint in your arm and state what you think would be the fulcrum, the load and
the effort.

● The joint-the fulcrum

● The muscles (biceps and triceps)-the effort

● The item being lifted-the load

A small amount of movement of the bicep can bring about large movement in the hands
where the load would be.

KEY TERMS

Origin- The point of attachment of a muscle to a bone that does not move when the muscle
contracts. It is a fixed end of a muscle

Insertion- The point of attachment of a muscle to a bone that moves when the muscle
contracts.
 ANTAGONISTIC MUSCLES

These are a pair of muscles that work against each other. When one contracts the other
muscles relaxes to bring about movement at a joint. In antagonistic pairs the muscles that are
contracting are called agonist while the muscle relaxing is the antagonist
 MOVEMENT IN THE FOREARM

The antagonistic pair of muscles in the forearm are the biceps and triceps. The triceps is the
antagonist of the biceps and the biceps is the antagonist of the triceps. When the biceps
contracts the triceps relax and when the triceps contract the biceps relax and can only return
to its original position if the biceps contracts again. The biceps is the flexor muscle and the
triceps is the extensor muscle. Flexor muscles reduce the angle between two bones at a joint
while an extensor muscle “extends” the angle between two bones at a joint. Try and see for
yourself.
SPORTS INJURIES
Tendon rupture Torn cartilage
BONE INJURIES
HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY
BE NICE TO YOUR FEET