The Skeletal System

What the Skeletal System Does Your skeleton has four major functions. Protects organs Shape and support Movement Stores minerals and other materials until your body needs them. Produces blood cells

Shape and Support The backbone, or vertebral column is the center of the skeleton. 26 small bones vertebrae, make up your backbone Is flexible and able to bend

Movement and Protection Most of the body’s bones are associated with muscles. The muscles pull on the bones to make your body move Bones also protect many of the organs in your body. Touch your head, your skull protects your brain

Production and Storage Storage of minerals released by the bones when your body needs it. Like calcium and phosphorus Some of your bones produce substances that your body needs. New blood cells

Types of Bone The hard outer layer of bone is the COMPACT BONE The interior region of bone that contains many tiny holes is the SPONGY BONE

Joints of the Skeleton A joint is a place in the body where two bones come together. A joint allow bones to move in different ways. Some joints do not move and are called immovable joints, like in your skull. Some joints do move and are called moveable joints.

How do joints move? Ligaments Cartilage Strong connective tissue Hold bones together Cartilage Connective tissue more flexible than bone Covers the ends of bones and keeps them from rubbing against each other.

Pivot Joint Located between the first two vertebrae in your neck, enabled you to shake and nod your head. It allows for rotation of one bone around another.

Hinge Joint The elbow and knee are hinge joints. This allows for movement in a forward and backward direction and also a little side to side.

Ball and Socket Joint Ball and socket joints provide for the circular motion of bones, consist of a bone with a rounded heard that fits into the cuplike pocket of another bone. Your hip and shoulder are ball and sockets.

Gliding Joint The gliding joint in your wrist or ankle enables you to bend and flex as well as make limited side-to-side motions.

Bone Diagram