The Main Functions of the Skeletal System
The main functions of the skeletal system include the following:
Functions In Depth
- support the body
- protect soft organs
- allow movement (due to attached skeletal muscles)
- store minerals and fats (yellow bone marrow)
- blood cell formation (red bone marrow)
Functions In Depth
Types of Bones
Irregular Bone- Bones of varying shapes and sizes, such as the vertebrae and certain bones of the skull or pelvis (example: coxal and zygomatic)
Flat Bone- Thin bones that protect certain organs, including most of the bones of the skull as well as the scapula (example: sternum and ribs)
short bone- Bones shaped somewhat like cubes that aid the flexibility of the joints; examples include the bones of the wrist and ankle (example: carpals and tarsals)
long bone - Elongated bone to which powerful muscles, such as those of the leg and arm are attached (example: femur and humerous)
Flat Bone- Thin bones that protect certain organs, including most of the bones of the skull as well as the scapula (example: sternum and ribs)
short bone- Bones shaped somewhat like cubes that aid the flexibility of the joints; examples include the bones of the wrist and ankle (example: carpals and tarsals)
long bone - Elongated bone to which powerful muscles, such as those of the leg and arm are attached (example: femur and humerous)
The Two Subdivisions of the Skeleton
The Axial Skeleton
Axial skeleton forms the axis of human body. It consists of skull,
vertebral column and thoracic cage.
~The skull is made up of 22 different bones that make up the
cranium and the bones of the face.
~The vertebral column is made up of 33 vertebrae that are
divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral,
and coccygeal. It connects the trunk of the body to the skull
and appendages.
~The thoracic (rib) cage is composed of the sternum and twelve
pairs of ribs (classified as either true, false, or floating ribs).
vertebral column and thoracic cage.
~The skull is made up of 22 different bones that make up the
cranium and the bones of the face.
~The vertebral column is made up of 33 vertebrae that are
divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral,
and coccygeal. It connects the trunk of the body to the skull
and appendages.
~The thoracic (rib) cage is composed of the sternum and twelve
pairs of ribs (classified as either true, false, or floating ribs).
The Appendicular Skeleton
It is the skeleton of appendages of human body. It consists of
shoulder girdle, skeleton of upper limb, pelvic girdle and
skeleton of lower limb.
~ The shoulder girdle is what attaches the arm to the body. It is
formed by the clavical and the scapula.
~The skeleton of the upper limb includes the humerus, ulna, radius,
carpals (8), metacarpals (5), and the phalanges (14).
~The pelvic girdle is made of one bone (for adults) but is made up of
three components: the ileum, ischium and the pubis.
~The lower limb consists of the femur, tibia, patella, tarsals (7),
metatarsals (5), and phalanges (14).
shoulder girdle, skeleton of upper limb, pelvic girdle and
skeleton of lower limb.
~ The shoulder girdle is what attaches the arm to the body. It is
formed by the clavical and the scapula.
~The skeleton of the upper limb includes the humerus, ulna, radius,
carpals (8), metacarpals (5), and the phalanges (14).
~The pelvic girdle is made of one bone (for adults) but is made up of
three components: the ileum, ischium and the pubis.
~The lower limb consists of the femur, tibia, patella, tarsals (7),
metatarsals (5), and phalanges (14).
Main Functions of the Skeletal System
The main Strength and Support Protection of Soft organs Allow movement Store minerals and fats Blood cell formation
Main Types of Bones
Long Bones- Elongated bone to which powerful muscles, such as those of the leg and arm, are attached.
Short Bones- Bones shaped somewhat like cubes that assist the flexibility of the joints; examples include the bones of the wrist and ankle.
Irregular Bones- Bones of varying shapes and sizes, such as the vertebrae and certain bones of the skull or pelvis.
Flat Bones- Thin bones that protect certain organs, including most of the bones of the skull as well as the scapula.
Short Bones- Bones shaped somewhat like cubes that assist the flexibility of the joints; examples include the bones of the wrist and ankle.
Irregular Bones- Bones of varying shapes and sizes, such as the vertebrae and certain bones of the skull or pelvis.
Flat Bones- Thin bones that protect certain organs, including most of the bones of the skull as well as the scapula.