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Chapter 7

The Skeletal System

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 Introduction

• Skeleton: supporting structure

• Bones and associated cartilage, tendons,
and ligaments
• Works with muscles for movement
• Mineral salts form the inorganic matrix of
bone
• Leonardo da Vinci: constructed first
correct illustrations of all bones
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The Functions of the Skeletal
System

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 The Functions of the Skeletal
System (cont’d.)
• Supports surrounding tissues
• Protects vital organs and soft tissues
• Provides levers for muscles to pull on
• Manufactures blood cells
• Stores mineral salts

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 The Functions of the Skeletal
System (cont’d.)
• Cartilage
– Connective tissue
– Environment in which bone develops in fetus
– Found at ends of bones and in joints
• Ligaments
– Attach bones to bones
• Tendons
– Attach muscles to bones

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The Growth and Formation
of Bone

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 Introduction
• A three-month fetal skeleton is completely
formed (cartilage)
• Ossification and growth begin
• Longitudinal growth continues until:
– 15 years of age for girls
– 16 years of age for boys
• Bone maturation until 21 years of age

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 Deposition of Bone
• Osteoblasts: embryonic bone cells
• Osteocytes: mature osteoblasts
• Strain on bone (exercise) increases bone
strength
• Osteoclasts: bone reabsorption and
remodeling

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 Types of Ossification
• Intramembranous
– Dense connective membranes replaced by
calcium salts
– Cranial bones
• Endochondral
– Bone develops inside cartilage environment
– All other bones of the body

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 Maintaining Bone
• Endocrine system control
– Calcium storage
– Blood calcium levels
– Excretion of excess calcium
• Parathormone: calcium release
• Calcitonin: calcium storage

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The Histology of Bone

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 Introduction
• Two types of bone: compact and
cancellous (spongy)
– Osteocytes are same but the arrangement of
blood supply is different
– Cancellous has bone marrow

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 The Haversian System of
Compact Bone
• CloptonHavers: histology of compact bone
• Haversian canals: run parallel to surface
– Surrounded by concentric rings of bone
– Lacunae: cavity containing osteocyte
– Lacunae connected by canaliculi

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 Cancellous Bone
• Trabeculae: meshwork of bone
• Spongy appearance created by trabeculae
• Bone marrow fills spaces between
trabeculae

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 Bone Marrow
• Red marrow
– Hematopoiesis
– Ribs, sternum, vertebrae, pelvis
• Yellow marrow
– Fat storage
– Shafts of long bones

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The Classification of Bones
Based on Shape

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Introduction

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 Long Bones
• Length exceeds width
• Consist of
– Diaphysis: shaft
– Metaphysis: flared portion
– Epiphysis: extremity

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 Long Bones (cont’d.)
• Structure of
a long bone

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 Short Bones
• Not merely shorter versions of long bones
• Lack a long axis
• Somewhat irregular shape

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 Flat Bones
• Thin bones found wherever need for
extensive muscle attachment
• Usually curved

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 Irregular Bones
• Very irregular shape
– Example: vertebrae
• Spongy bone enclosed by thin layers of
compact bone

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 Sesamoid Bones
• Small rounded bones
• Enclosed in tendon and fascial tissue
• Located adjacent to joints

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Bone Markings

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 Introduction
• Processes: projections
• Fossae: depressions
• Functions: muscle attachment, articulation,
passageways

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 Processes
• Processes: projections from the surface
– Spine, condyle, tubercle, trochlea, trochanter,
crest, line, head, neck

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 Fossae
• Fossae: depressions
– Suture, foramen, meatus, sinus, sulcus

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Divisions of the Skeleton

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 Divisions of the Skeleton
(cont’d.)
• Typically has 206 named bones
• Axial part
– Skull, hyoid, vertebrae, ribs, sternum
• Appendicular part
– Upper extremities or arms
– Lower extremities or legs

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The Axial Skeleton

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 The Cranial Bones
• Frontal bone (1)
• Parietal bones (2)
• Occipital bone (1)
• Temporal bone (2)
• Sphenoid bone (1)
• Ethmoid bone (1)
• Auditory ossicles (6)

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The Cranial Bones (cont’d.)

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The Cranial Bones (cont’d.)

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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The Cranial Bones (cont’d.)

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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 The Facial Bones
• Nasal bones (2)
• Palatine bones (2)
• Maxillary bones (2)
• Zygomatic bones (2)
• Lacrimal bones (2)
• Nasal conchae (2)

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 The Facial Bones (cont’d.)
• Vomer bone (1)
• Mandible (1)

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 The Facial Bones (cont’d.)
• Lateral view
of some
cranial and
facial bones,
labeled

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 The Facial Bones (cont’d.)
• Frontal view
of the bones
of the skull

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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 The Orbits
• Orbits: cavities enclose and protect the
eyes
Area of Orbit Participating Bones
Roof Frontal, sphenoid
Floor Maxilla, zygomatic
Lateral wall Zygomatic, greater wing of
sphenoid
Medial wall Maxilla, lacrimal, ethmoid

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 The Orbits

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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 The Nasal Cavities
• Nose framework surrounds the two nasal
cavities
Area of Nose Participating Bones
Roof Ethmoid
Floor Maxilla, palatine
Lateral wall Maxilla, palatine
Septum of medial wall Ethmoid, vomer, nasal
Bridge Nasal

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 The Foramina of the Skull
• Passageways for blood vessels and
nerves
• Foramen magnum: spinal cord passage

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 The Hyoid Bone
• No articulation with other bones
• Suspended by ligaments from styloid
process
• Supports the tongue

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 The Hyoid Bone

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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 How to Study the Bones
of the Skull
• Refer to colored plates in textbook
• Use a model of a human skull
• Search for sutures as a guide

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 The Torso or Trunk
• Vertebrae
– Seven cervical
– Twelve thoracic
– Five lumbar
– Sacrum
– Coccyx

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 The Thorax
• Thorax or rib cage made up of:
– Sternum
– Costal cartilages
– Ribs
– Bodies of thoracic vertebrae
• Encloses and protects heart and lungs

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The Thorax (cont’d.)

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The Thorax (cont’d.)

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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 The Sternum
• Breastbone
• Has three parts
– Manubrium
– Gladiolus
– Xiphoid process
• Attachment for diaphragm and rectus abdominis

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 The Ribs
• Also called costae
• Attach posteriorly to thoracic vertebrae
• 12 pairs
– True ribs, false ribs, floating ribs

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The Appendicular Skeleton

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 The Bones of the Upper
Extremities
• Shoulder girdle: clavicle and scapula
• Arm
– Upper arm: humerus
– Forearm: ulna and radius
– Wrist: carpals
– Hand: metacarpals (5/hand)
– Fingers: phalanges (14/hand)

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 The Bones of the Upper
Extremities (cont’d.)
• Bones of
the wrist
and hand

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 The Bones of the Upper
Extremities (cont’d.)
• The carpal
bones

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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 The Bones of the Upper
Extremities (cont’d.)
• The
metacarpals
and
phalanges

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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 The Bones of the Lower
Extremities
• Pelvic girdle: ischium, ilium, pubis
• Leg
– Upper leg: femur
– Lower leg: patella, tibia, fibula
– Foot
• Tarsals
• Metatarsals (5/foot)
• Phalanges (14/foot)

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 The Bones of the Lower
Extremities (cont’d.)
• Right ankle
and foot,
lateral view

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 The Bones of the Lower
Extremities (cont’d.)
• Right ankle
and foot,
superior view

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 The Bones of the Lower
Extremities (cont’d.)
• Lateral view
of the bones
of the foot

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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 The Bones of the Lower
Extremities (cont’d.)
• Superior view
of the bones
of the foot

(Photography by Dr. David Fankhauser, University of Cincinnati)

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The Arches of the Foot

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The Arches of the Foot (cont’d.)
• Enable foot to bear weight while standing
and to provide leverage while walking
• Medial longitudinal: highest
• Lateral longitudinal
• Transverse
• Pes planus: flat foot

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 Summary
• Listed the functions of the skeletal system
• Described the process of growth and
formation of bone
• Described the structure of compact and
cancellous bone
• Defined the various processes and fossae
associated with bones

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 Summary (cont’d.)
• Named the bones of the axial and
appendicular skeleton
• Described the arches of the foot

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