Skeletal System

The human skeleton is divided into 2 divisions:

Axial Skeleton - Bones which form the longitudinal Axis (Trunk);
Appendicular Skeleton - Bones of the Limbs and Pelvis.

Skeletal system also includes: · Joints · Cartilage · Ligaments

BONES

There are a total of 206 Bones in the Human Body.

OSTEOLOGY: The study of the bones
JOINTS: Places where 2 bones meet

Functions of the skeletal system

1) SUPPORT and PROTECTION of the Vital Organs (Heart, Lungs, etc.) of the body from injury;

2) MOVEMENT - As bones act as points of attachment for Muscles, Joints, Tendons and Ligaments;

3) HEMATOPOIESIS - Blood cell formation, which occurs in a portion of the bone known as the BONE MARROW;

4) STOREHOUSE FOR MINERALS - such as Phosphorus and Calcium. (Minerals: Any substance that is neither animal nor vegetable. Any of the inorganic elements, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium or sodium, that are essential to the functioning of the human body and are obtained from foods.)

Bones are living structures which require Food and Oxygen (O2). Further, bones have a need to eliminate WASTE MATERIALS. To perform these activities, an extensive vascular system exists within bone. Basically, all bones consist of the same substances.

A specialized form of Connective Tissue, known as COLLAGEN FIBERS, which give bone its STRENGTH and a group of substances known as GROUND STUBSTANCE, which possibly assist in the control of the mineral Calcium, one of the mineral bone salts found in bone, with Phosphate being the other bone salt.

Bones develop in a type of soft tissue in the body, and as the body begins to develop, the growing bones begin to OSSIFY (become bone). The 1st bone to Ossify in the human body is the CLAVICLE or Collar Bone.