The Skeleton System: Structure and Functions
Describe the structure and function of the skeleton system’s two distinct are – Axial System and Appendicular skeleton.
Axial system
The axial skeleton is the portion of the human skeleton that consists of the bones of the head and trunk of an organism. In the human body, it consists of 80 bones and is composed of –
29 bones in the head - (8 cranial and 14 facial bones) and then also 7 associated bones (6 auditory ossicles and the Hyoid Bone)
25 bones of the thorax - (the sternum and 24 ribs)
26 bones in the vertebral column (24 vertebrae, the sacrum and the coccyx.
Appendicular skeleton
Appendicular skeleton - the part of the skeleton that includes the pectoral girdle and the pelvic girdle and the upper and lower limbs limb - one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper skeletal structure - any structure created by the skeleton of an organism pectoral girdle - a skeletal support to which the forelimbs of vertebrates are attached endoskeleton - the internal skeleton; bony and cartilaginous structure (especially of vertebrates) pelvic arch, pelvic girdle, pelvis, hip - the structure of the vertebrate skeleton supporting the lower limbs in humans and the hind limbs or corresponding parts in other vertebrates
The Skelton functions
• Support – bones helps to stabilise and support the framework of the body, as most muscle are attached.
• Protection – bones helps to protect internal tissues and organs, for example the skull protects the brain and the rib cage protects the lungs.
• Movement – bones enable movement to happen as the skeleton is jointed. Bones end joints so the shape of the bones can dictate how we move.
• Blood Protection – Bones produce red blood cells in the bone marrow.
• Mineral storage – Bone helps to store minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium.
Different types of joint and movement
A joint is the when two or more joint comes together. A purpose of a joint is to
Axial system
The axial skeleton is the portion of the human skeleton that consists of the bones of the head and trunk of an organism. In the human body, it consists of 80 bones and is composed of –
29 bones in the head - (8 cranial and 14 facial bones) and then also 7 associated bones (6 auditory ossicles and the Hyoid Bone)
25 bones of the thorax - (the sternum and 24 ribs)
26 bones in the vertebral column (24 vertebrae, the sacrum and the coccyx.
Appendicular skeleton
Appendicular skeleton - the part of the skeleton that includes the pectoral girdle and the pelvic girdle and the upper and lower limbs limb - one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper skeletal structure - any structure created by the skeleton of an organism pectoral girdle - a skeletal support to which the forelimbs of vertebrates are attached endoskeleton - the internal skeleton; bony and cartilaginous structure (especially of vertebrates) pelvic arch, pelvic girdle, pelvis, hip - the structure of the vertebrate skeleton supporting the lower limbs in humans and the hind limbs or corresponding parts in other vertebrates
The Skelton functions
• Support – bones helps to stabilise and support the framework of the body, as most muscle are attached.
• Protection – bones helps to protect internal tissues and organs, for example the skull protects the brain and the rib cage protects the lungs.
• Movement – bones enable movement to happen as the skeleton is jointed. Bones end joints so the shape of the bones can dictate how we move.
• Blood Protection – Bones produce red blood cells in the bone marrow.
• Mineral storage – Bone helps to store minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium.
Different types of joint and movement
A joint is the when two or more joint comes together. A purpose of a joint is to