Bone fractures (broken bones).

THE SKELETAL Dislocations.

SYSTEM
BY: MARCUS ZACHARY C. RACHO
The skeletal system gives your body its shape and
holds your organs in place. In the simplest terms,
your skeletal system is your body’s most important
support structure. But it’s more than just your
skeleton and bones. Your skeletal system also
includes connective tissue that helps you stay
supported and safe while you’re moving and still. It
includes muscles that help you move and creates
new blood cells that keep you healthy. The skeletal
system is also called the
musculoskeletal system.
Function
 Giving your body
shape
 Helping you move
 Protecting your
organs
 Creating new blood
cells
 Storing minerals
MAIN PARTS OF THE SKELETAL
SYSTEM
Bones: Bones are your body’s main form of
structural support. Adults have between 206 and
213 bones in their bodies.
Muscles: Muscles are made of tightly woven,
stretchy fibers. You have more than 600 muscles in
your body that help you do everything from
walking, running and jumping to breathing and
digesting food.
Cartilage: Cartilage is strong, flexible tissue that acts
like a shock absorber in joints throughout your
body.
Ligaments: Ligaments are bands of tissue that
connect bones to other bones.
Tendons: Tendons are cords that connect muscles
to bone.
Joints: A joint is any place two bones meet. It
contains some of (or all) the pieces listed above.
Conditions and Disorders
Lots of common health conditions and injuries can
affect your skeletal system because it’s such an
important part of how you use your body.
Anything that damages your bones or connective
tissue affects your skeletal system, including:
 Arthritis.
 Bursitis.
 Tendinitis.
 Osteoporosis.
Many autoimmune diseases affect the skeletal
system (especially joints). Some of the most
common include:
 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
 Psoriatic arthritis.
 Lupus.
 Sjögren’s syndrome.
Traumas like falls, car accidents and injuries often
damage your skeletal system. Some of the most
common injuries include:
Sports injuries.
 Muscle strains (pulled muscles).
 Ligament tears and sprains.
Common tests done to the skeletal
system
A healthcare provider will suggest tests based on
where you’re experiencing pain or other symptoms.
You might need:
 X-rays.
 Ultrasounds.
 A computed tomography (CT) scan.
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
 A bone density test (DXA scan).
How to take care of
our skeletal system
Follow these general
safety tips to reduce
your risk of an injury:
 Always wear
your seatbelt.
 Wear the right protective equipment for all
activities and sports.
 Stretch, warm up and cool down before and
after intense physical activity.
 Make sure your home and workspace are
free of clutter that could trip you or others.
 Always use the proper tools or equipment
at home to reach things. Never stand on
chairs, tables or countertops.
 Use a cane or walker if you have difficulty
walking or have an increased risk of falls.
 A note from Cleveland Clinic
 Your skeletal system is the framework that
holds the rest of your body in place. You
use your bones, muscles and connective
tissue constantly, whether you’re a
championship athlete or sitting on the bus
reading this article on your phone.
 Visit a healthcare provider if you notice
new pain, stiffness or other symptoms.
They’ll help you understand what’s causing
your symptoms and how you can get back
to your usual routine.