SKELETAL SYSTEM

FUNCTIONS OF THE SKELETON

1. Support - Provides framework to support the body e.g. vertebrae
support the back
2. Movement (locomotion) - Muscle attachment and levers for
movement e.g. limb movement
3. Gives the body shape e.g. skull gives shape to the face
4. Protection – vital tissues and organs can be protected from
physical damage e.g. Cranium protects brain, the ribs protects
heart and lungs
5. Manufacture of blood cells – the marrow (Yellow and red) inside
long bones make blood cells
6. Storage - Provides a reserve of calcium and phosphorus
 FEATURES OF A BONE
1. Calcium and phosphate ion deposits make the bone very hard. Bone ,
tough – it protects soft tissue and doesn’t wear quickly during movement.

2. Callogen fibres gives flexibility making the bone less brittle. Bone is strong,
it doesn’t break easily under stress of movement or trauma.

3. Spongy bone at the head and compact bone at the perimeter increase the
bones tensile strength and rigidity. Strength and toughness make bone
perfect for support, protection and movement.

4. Bone is hollow in the centre (a tube) which keeps it light compared to its
size. Bone is light so an animal can move without tiring quickly
FEATURES OF BONE

5. Cartilage at ends of bones serve as a cushion, and reduces friction at

he articulating surfaces. Joints move smoothly and efficiently during
movement

6. Blood vessels provide bone cells with oxygen and nutrients and
remove waste products. Bone tissue is able to maintain itself in strong
and healthy condition
 BONE VS CARTILAGE
1. BONE – protects, provides support, attaches muscles to act as levers for movement,
storage site, manufactures blood cells
2. It is not solid, but contains a marrow filled cavity. This gives the bone strength yet it is
light (not heavy)
3. The rounded head forms the ball of the ball and socket joint with the pelvis. This allows
movement in three planes
4. The head is made of spongy bone which is light but strong as it withstand stresses that
operate in all directions
5. The shaft is hollow, this reduces the chance of breakage occurring across the whole
bone
6. The center contains marrow, a soft tissue that stores fat and makes blood cells. Blood
vessels supply nutrients and removes wastes
7. The outer part of the shaft is made of compact bone which is very hard.
Cartilage is found on both ends.
 CARTILAGE
1. Reduces friction at joints- its surface is smooth, so it allows bones to
move easily over each other
2. It serves as a shock absorber
3. It provides flexible support (c-shaped rings of cartilage in the
trachea keeps it open)
4. It has a high tensile strength because of the presence of collagen
5. It owes its elasticity to protein fibres secreted by cells
6. It’s the main material in a maternal foetus. This is replaced by bone
tissue (as calcium salts are deposited) by the time of birth
TENDONS VS LIGAMENTS
TENDONS
• Tendons are fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bone.
• They don’t stretch (inelastic)
• They cause the bone to move when the muscle contracts
• Made of protein

LIGAMENTS
• Ligaments are made of fibrous connective tissue
• They connect bone to bone
• Slightly elastic, so ligaments stabilizes the joint without being too stiff
• Made of protein – it is tough but not hard
 JOINTS
• Joints occur where two bones meet
• The ends of the bones in a joint are covered with
cartilage which is continually being replaced.
• In very active (synovial) joints the synovial
membrane secrets an oily fluid called synovial
fluid that acts as a lubricant between the joint
 TYPES OF JOINT
A. IMMOVABLE/FIXED/CARTILAGINOUS
• Bones are fused and don’t allow movement
• Connections between the bones are made of cartilage
• E.g. joints between bones in the cranium (stutures) , pelvic girdle

B. SLIGHTLY MOVABLE/FIBROUS JOINT

• Semi-mobile. Allowing limited movement
• Bones held together by ligaments only
• E. g. where the tibia and fibula meet, where teeth are held to the jaw
bone, between adjacent vertebrae, joint between bones in front of the
pelvic girdle
Types of joint
• (C) MOVABLE/SYNOVIAL
• Allows the greatest range of movement
• Held together by a synovial capsule, which includes synovial fluid
1. Ball and socket – allows free movement in all directions/ plane eg.
Shoulder, hip
2. Hinge – allows limited movement in one plane or direction eg.
Elbow, knee, finger
3. Gliding/sliding – two surfaces slides over each other eg. Ankle, wrist
4. Pivot – joints between the axis and atlas at the top of the spine –
one bone stays stationary while the other rotates on it