5 Major Functions Of The Skeletal System – The skeletal system is a body system made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments and other tissues that perform essential functions for the human body. Bone tissue, or bone tissue, is a tough, dense connective tissue that makes up the majority of the body’s internal support system, the adult skeleton. In areas of the skeleton where whole bones move against each other (for example, joints like the shoulder or between the bones of the spine), cartilage, a semi-rigid form of connective tissue, provides flexibility and smooth surfaces. In addition, ligaments, made of dense connective tissue, surround these joints and hold the bony elements together (a ligament is dense connective tissue that connects bones to other bones). Together, they perform the following functions:

Some functions of the skeletal system are more easily observed than others. As you move, you can feel how your bones support you, facilitate your movement, and protect your body’s delicate organs. Just as the steel beams of a building provide a scaffolding to support its weight, the bones and cartilage of your skeletal system form the scaffolding that supports the rest of your body. Without a skeletal structure, you’d be a loose mass of organs, muscles, and skin. Bones facilitate movement by acting as attachment points for your muscles. Bones enclose or protect the internal organs from injury. For example, your ribs protect your lungs and heart, the bones of your vertebral column (spine) protect your spine, and the bones of your skull (skull) protect your brain (see Figure 6.1.1).

5 Major Functions Of The Skeletal System

On a metabolic level, bone tissue performs many important functions. For one thing, bone tissue acts as a reservoir for many minerals important to body function, especially calcium and phosphorus. These minerals can be incorporated into bone tissue and released back into the bloodstream to maintain levels necessary to support physiological processes. For example, calcium ions are essential for muscle contractions and are involved in the transmission of nerve impulses.

Teaching The Skeletal System

Bones also serve as a site for fat storage and blood cell production. The unique connective tissue that fills the interior of most bones is called bone marrow. There are two types of bone marrow: yellow bone marrow and red bone marrow. Yellow bone marrow contains adipose tissue, and triglycerides stored in adipocytes of this tissue can be released to serve as a source of energy for other tissues of the body. Red bone marrow is where the production of blood cells (hematopoiesis, hemato- = “blood”, -poiesis = “to form”) takes place. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are all produced in the red bone marrow. As we age, the distribution of red and yellow bone marrow changes as seen in the figure (Figure 6.1.2).

Figure 6.1.2 – Bone Marrow: Bones contain varying amounts of yellow and/or red bone marrow. Yellow bone marrow stores fat and red bone marrow is responsible for producing blood cells (hematopoiesis).

An orthopedic specialist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders and injuries related to the musculoskeletal system. Some orthopedic problems can be treated with drugs, exercises, braces, and other devices, but others are best treated with surgery (Figure 6.1.3).

Figure 6.1.3 – Arm brace: An orthopedic specialist will sometimes recommend the use of a brace. (Credit: Juhan Sonin)

Tissues, Organs, & Organ Systems (article)

While the origin of the word “orthopedic” (ortho- = “straight”; paed- = “child”) means “to straighten a child,” orthopedic specialists can have patients ranging from pediatrics to the elderly. In recent years, orthopedic specialists have also performed prenatal surgery to correct spina bifida, a birth defect in which the neural canal in the fetus’s spine does not close completely during fetal development.

Orthopedists typically treat bone and joint injuries but also treat other bone conditions, including curvature of the spine. Lateral curves (scoliosis) can be severe enough to cause the shoulder blade (scapula) to slip under, forcing it into a hump. Arches of the spine can cause excessive dorsiflexion (kyphosis) of the back and thoracic spine. These curves often appear in preteens as a result of poor posture, abnormal growth, or instability. Often, they are treated promptly by orthopedists. As people age, injuries to the spine and diseases such as osteoporosis can lead to curvatures of the spine, so you can sometimes see slouching in older people.

Some orthopedists subspecialize in sports medicine, which addresses both simple injuries like a sprained ankle and more complex injuries like a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder. Treatment can range from exercise to surgery.

The main functions of the skeletal system are body support, facilitation of movement, protection of internal organs, storage of minerals and fat, and formation of blood cells.

Bone Health: Differences In Men And Women

An organ system consisting of bones, cartilage, and ligaments that provide movement, support, protection, mineral and fat storage, and blood cell formation.

This work, Anatomy & Physiology, is adapted from Stocks’ Anatomy & Physiology, licensed under CC BY. This version, with edited content and artwork, is licensed under CC BY-SA, except where noted.

Anatomy and Physiology Copyright © 2019 Lindsey M. Pika, Staci Bronson, Sierra Dawson, Amy Harwell, Robin Hopkins, Joel Kaufman, Mike LeMaster, Philip Mattern, Katie Morrison-Graham, Kristen Oja, Rooney OER, Rooney OERU and Stax are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except as otherwise noted. Let’s talk about support for you, your students, and the human body. Humans have an internal skeleton consisting of 206 bones and cartilage and connective tissue in the form of ligaments and tendons that connect bones and muscles to bone. The skeleton provides support to the body, protects organs and soft tissues, and facilitates movement. Additionally, bones store minerals and some bones make blood cells. Bone tissue is classified on the basis of structure as compact bone and spongy bone.

Often students do not integrate the roles that the muscular system and the skeletal system play in facilitating movement. Determining the opposing forces required to contract and relax muscle pairs that move bones is actually an engineering problem. To support your teaching, we have a simple, free activity that illustrates the relationship between skeletal and muscular systems.

Divisions Of The Skeletal System

For a more detailed study of bone and muscle system interactions, see the Interactions of Muscles and Bones kit where students study the biophysics of the elbow and hand.

Anatomy models are a great way to support students as they study and review skeletal structure. We have many different models of human skeletons in different sizes, but the best is the life size model. It gives students the perspective to relate structure to action. As instruction transitions to injury and pathology, detailed models of joints with connective tissue help students visualize how and why injuries can occur. At the microscopic level, bone specimens and prepared microscope slides illustrate the complexities of bone structure. The study of skeletal structure involves more than memorizing the names of bones on a chart. Engage your students with a variety of activities and experiences.

Carolina works with teachers to continually provide valuable resources—articles, activities, and videos—to help teachers in their classrooms.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We’ll assume you’re okay with this, but you can opt out if you want. Accept Read More 1. Movement: The skeletal system provides attachment points for muscles. Your legs and arms move when muscles pull on bones. 2. Support: The spine is the main support center of the upper body. It elevates your head and protects your spine. Muscle attached to bones!!

Functions Of Respiratory System

3. Protection: The bones of your skull protect your brain. Your ribs protect your lungs and heart from injury. 4. Makes blood: Red and white blood cells are made by a tissue called marrow in the center of the bone.

1. Long arms, legs and fingers 2. Short wrists and ankles 3. Flat skull and sternum 4. Irregular spine

Compact bone: Lies beneath the periosteum Cancellous bone: Lies beneath the compact bone Bone marrow: Fills the space between the cancellous bone

1) Cervical region (neck bones) 2) Thoracic region (what the ribs connect to) 3) Lumbar region (lower back)

Peripheral Nervous System: What It Is And How It Works

18 Body Ball and Socket Joints: The rounded end of a bone fits tightly into another bone. Ex. Shoulders and hips

19 Joints of the body Hinged joint: movement of a joint in one direction like a door. Ex. Knee and Elbow

20 Joints of the Body Pivot Joints: A bone rests on top of another bone allowing free movement. Ex. Neck, wrists and ankles

In order to operate this website, we collect and share user data with applications. To use this website, you must agree to our Privacy Policy, including our Cookie Policy. The skeletal system can be defined as the main structure of the human form that supports and provides structure to the body. Also called the musculoskeletal system, it is made up of bones and connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments.

Directions: Label The Parts Of Skeletal System. Write Your Answer In Your Science Journal

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