Skeletal System

Classification of Bone: Bones vary in shape and size The unique shape of each bone fulfills a particular need Bones are classified by their shape as long, short, flat, or irregular bone

Classification of Bones

Long Bone Long bones have a long shaft and two distinct ends Classification is based on shape not size Example of this is the humerus

Short Bones Short bones are roughly cubelike Short bones are often the carpal and tarsal bones

Flat Bones Flat bones are thin, flattened and usually curved Skull, sternum and ribs are examples

Irregular Bone Irregular bones don’t fit into the previous categories Irregular bones have complicated shapes Examples are the hip bones and vertebrae

Lower Body Bones Spine – Vertabrae, Sacrum, Coccyx Hand – Carpals, Metacarpals,and Phalanges Leg - Femur, Tibia, Patella and Fibula Foot - Tarsals, Metatarsals and Phalanges.

Spine – Vertabrae, Sacrum, Coccyx The spine, also known as the backbone or vertebral column, consists of a long chain of 33 bones each individually known as a vertebrae. The main functions of the vertebral bones are for structure and protection of the spinal cord. The spine is separated into 4 curves, the cervical curve, thoracic curve, lumbar curve, sacral and/or pelvic curve. The coccyx is referred to as the tailbone, as scientist believe it is the remainder of a tail.

Anatomy of the Spine

Hand – Carpals, Metacarpal Phalanges The skeleton of the wrist consists of eight small carpal bones that are firmly bound in two rows of four bones each. The metacarpals make up the knuckles of the hand. The phalanges are the small bones that make up the skeleton of the fingers, thumb and toes. Each finger and smaller toe has three phalanges; the thumb and big toe each have two.

Anatomy of the Hand

Leg – Femur and Tibia The femur is the thigh bone, the longest bone in the body. The lower end joins the tibia (shin) to form the knee joint. The upper end is rounded into a ball (or "head" of the femur) that fits into a socket in the pelvis to form the hip joint. The neck of the femur gives the hip joint a wide range of movement, but it is a point of weakness and a common site of fracture.

Leg - Patella, Fibula The fibula is the long and slender bone beside the tibia. The fibula is the outer and thinner of the two long bones of the lower leg. Its main function is to provide attachment for muscles. It doesn't give much support or strength to the leg. The patella is the knee cap. The patella is a thick, circular-triangular bone, which connects with the femur and covers and protects the knee joint.

Anatomy of the Leg

Foot - Tarsals, Metatarsals, Phalanges The ankle is composed of seven tarsal bones. The metatarsal bones are a set of five bones in the foot, which connect with the ankle joint and the toes. The ligaments, which surround these bones typically hold them in an arch-like shape, which comprises the arch of the foot. The metatarsals are equivalent to the metacarpal bones of the hand. Both sets of bones serve important functions in the body, providing balance, stability, and functionality. The phalanges are the small bones that make up the skeleton of the fingers, thumb and toes. Each finger and smaller toe has three phalanges; the thumb and big toe each have two.

Anatomy of the Foot

Dem BONES