Skeletal System Vocabulary

Skeletal System Provides support for the body Protects organs Works with muscular system for movement Stores minerals Forms blood cells

Bone Major organs of the skeletal system Adult skeleton composed of 206 bones Store minerals In certain bones, bone marrow produces blood cells

Bone What are bones made of? There are two kinds of bone tissue, compact bone and spongy bone. Compact bone is dense and spongy bone contains many open spaces. Blood vessels run through compact bones and supply them with nutrients. Bone marrow inside long bones produces blood cells and stores fat. Bones also store calcium. Are bones alive? How do I keep my bones healthy? Yes, bones are alive! They are made of living cells and they need regular exercise. Walking, jogging, running and other physical activities are important in keeping your bones strong and healthy. Strengthen your skeleton by eating foods that contain calcium.

Ligaments Connect bone to bone Figure 1: Ligaments in the Ankle

Ligaments Ligaments are the fibrous, slightly stretchy connective tissues that hold one bone to another in the body, forming a joint. Ligaments control the range of motion of a joint, preventing your elbow from bending backwards, for example, and stabilizing the joint so that the bones move in the proper alignment Excessive movements such as hyper–extension or hyper–flexion, may be restricted by ligaments. Further, some ligaments prevent movement in certain

Tendons

A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other muscles. Tendons and muscles work togetherfibrous connective tissuemusclebone tensionligaments

Cartilage Provides cushion between joints and between vertebrae of the spinal column. Provides supporting structure of some features of the body including the voice box and the external ear.

Cartilage Cartilage is a stiff yet flexible connective tissue found in many areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs. It is not as hard and rigid as bone but is stiffer and less flexible than muscle. Unlike other connective tissues, cartilage does not contain blood vessels. Thus, compared to other connective tissues, cartilage grows and repairs more slowly.