Skeletal System

Function of skeletal system Give our body shape so we’re not a puddle of skin and guts lying on the floor! Protect the organs in our bodies, like our brain, heart, and lungs. Produce blood cells-An average of 2.6 million red blood cells are produced each second by the bone marrow to replace those worn out and destroyed by the liver.

Our skeleton When you are born you have nearly 300 bones in your body, but as you grow some of those bones fuse or combine together to form the average adult skeleton which has 206 bones! The longest of these bones is the femur, which is commonly referred to as your thigh bone. The smallest of these bones is your stapes, or stirrup bone in your ear. It gets its name because it actually looks like a stirrup!

Cartilage, Tendons, and Ligaments Cartilage: A very tough tissue found at the ends of most bones to protect them from rubbing together. Cartilage absorbs shock. Tendons: Tendons attach bone to muscle. Our largest tendon is our “Achilles tendon”. An injury to a tendon is often referred to as a strain. Ligaments: Ligaments attach bone to bone. An injury to a ligament is often referred to as a sprain. The most commonly injured ligaments are those in your knee (ACL, MCL, LCL, PCL) and ankle.

Problems with the skeletal system A common problem with the skeletal system is bone breaks. There are two kinds of bone breaks, sometimes called fractures. The first kind, simple fracture, is when the bone breaks but does not come through the skin. The second kind, compound fractures, are more severe breaks which come through the skin.

Common causes of bone fractures The most common cause of a bone fracture is a fall or sports injury. Broken bones need to be put into casts so the bone can re-connect to it’s original state before the fracture. Often times, when a bone is broken, it heals stronger than it was before it was broken.

Problems with the skeletal system Anemia: When a person does not make enough healthy red blood cells in the bone marrow. Osteoporosis: A condition where the bone becomes very fragile and can easily break. This is most common in post-menopausal women because of a lower level of estrogen. Also, a lack of calcium in the body can lead to osteoporosis…so drink your milk.

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Cranium Clavicle Sternum Humerus Ribs Vertebrae Pelvis Radius Ulna Phalanges Femur Patella Tibia Fibula Phalanges Scapula