The Skeletal System
Skeletal System
• Bony framework of our body
Functions of Skeletal System
• Provides framework to all the body parts, thus giving our body a definite shape
• Maintains erect posture
• Helps in locomotion
• Protects internal soft organs
• Plays a major role in formation of blood cells
• Acts as storehouse of calcium and phosphorus for the body
Skeletal system = 206 bones + A few cartilages
• Bones are connective tissues, which are hard due to calcium salts
• Cartilages are connective tissues. They have a pliable matrix due to chondroitin salts.
Bones
• Bones are the chief constituents of the skeletal system.
• They consist of organic and inorganic parts (compounds of calcium and phosphorus).
• As we grow old, the organic part gets on reducing, making bones fragile.
• On the basis of shape, bones can be classified as:
• Long bones: Have a thick-walled shaft with a knob at each end. Examples, bones of
arms, legs and chest
• Short bones: Box-like, spongy bones that show little movement. Examples, ankle,
wrist, etc
• Flat bones: Made up of two or more parallel plates of compact bones. Examples,
shoulder blade, skull, etc
• Irregular bones: Have complex shape. Examples, vertebral bones
A typical bone consists of osteocytes or bone cells that are embedded in a ground
matrix made up of collagen fibres and calcium and phosphorus salts. The external
surface of the bone is covered by a membrane called periosteum. Its outer layer is
fibrous while inner layer is cellular.
The hollow cavity in the middle of the bone is filled with bone marrow. The yellow
marrow is made up of adipose tissue (fat storing cells) and gives rise to white blood
cells. The red marrow, which is present at the ends gives rise to red blood cells.
Major divisions of the skeletal system
Axial Skeleton (80 bones)
• Skull − 22 bones
• Has two sets of bones − Cranial (8) and Facial (14)
• Skull also includes a U-shaped bone called hyoid, present at the base of the buccal
cavity
• Ear Bones (ear ossicles) − Malleus, Incus, Stapes
• Skull articulates with the vertebral column via two occipital condyles.
• Vertebral Column − 26 vertebra
• Each vertebra has a central hollow portion through which the spinal cord passes. This
hollow portion is called the neural canal.
• Functions: Protects the spinal cord; supports the head; serves as the point of
attachment of the ribs and the musculature of the back
• First vertebra: Atlas − it articulates with the occipital condyles
• Formula for vertebral column in man is C7 T12 L5 S 1 Co1
• Sternum − 1
• Flat bone on the ventral midline of the thorax, to which the ribs are attached ventrally
• Ribs − 12 pairs
• Connects dorsally to the vertebral column
Connects ventrally to the sternum
• True Ribs: First 7 pairs; they connect both dorsally and ventrally to the vertebrae and
the sternum respectively via the hyaline cartilage
• False (vertebrochondral) Ribs: 8th, 9th and 10th pairs; do not connect to the sternum
directly, but connect indirectly through the seventh rib
• Floating Ribs: 11th and 12th pairs; do not connect ventrally
• Rib cage = Thoracic vertebra + Ribs + Sternum
Appendicular Skeleton
• Limbs (each limb has 30 bones)
• Knee cap – Patella
• Girdles (Pectoral and Pelvic)
• Articulates the limbs with the axial skeleton
• Each girdle is composed of two halves.
• Pectoral girdle:
• Consists of clavicle (collar bone) and scapula
• Scapula is a triangular flat bone with a slightly elevated ridge called the spine, projecting
as a flat, expanded process called acromion.
• Clavicle articulates with acromion.
• Below acromion, a depression called glenoid cavity is present. Here, humerus
articulates to form the shoulder joint.
• Pelvic girdle:
• Has 2 coxal bones formed by the fusion of ilium, ischium and pubis
• Acetabulum is a cavity formed at the point of fusion of these three bones where the
thigh bone articulates
• Two halves of the pelvic girdle meet ventrally to form Pubic Symphysis (contains fibrous
cartilage)
Joints & Disorders of Musculo-Skeletal System
Joints
• Points of contact between bones or between bones and cartilages
• Joints act as fulcrum used to carry out movement by force generated through muscles.
• Classification of joints depending upon structure:
Cartilaginous
Fibrous joints Synovial joints
joints
Bones are not joined together
Bones fuse end to end with Bones are joined directly, but fluid-filled
the help of dense fibrous together with the synovial cavity is present
connective tissues. help of cartilages. between articulating surfaces
of two bones.
Permit limited
Do not allow any movement Show maximum movement
movement
Example − Skull bones fuse
end to end with the help of Example − Joints
Example − Ball and socket
dense fibrous connective between adjacent
joint
tissues called sutures to form vertebrae
cranium.
Types of Synovial joints
• Synovial joint − five types:
• Ball and socket joint
Allows free movement
Found between humerus and pectoral girdle, femur and acetabulum
• Hinge joint
Allows movement in one plane
Example: knee joint, elbow joint
• Pivot joint
One bone rotates over other.
Found between atlas and axis
• Gliding joint
Allows only gliding and sliding movement
Found between carpals and wrist
• Saddle joint
This type of joints allows back and forth and side to side motion, but only limited
rotation.
Found between carpal and metacarpal of thumb
Muscles
Bones provide a framework to our body and joints help in the movements of our
body. How do bones move?
Bones move with the help of muscles present in our body. Let us find out what muscles
are and how they help in the movements of the body.
Muscles are one of the contractile organs of our body. They are the fleshy parts of our
body, which help in the movement of different body parts. Each muscle has a fixed end
(where it originates) and a movable end which is attached to the bone with help of
tendon. Tendon helps in the movement of bone by pulling it.
Do you know how muscles move?
Muscles move by contracting and relaxing. Here, contracting means becoming shorter,
while relaxing means becoming longer and thinner.
Let us explore how muscles move with the help of a small activity.
Make a fist with one hand and bend the arm at the elbow level. Then, touch your
shoulder with your thumb.
You will feel a swollen region inside your upper
arm. This swollen region is a muscle. Contraction
makes it swollen.
When you bring your arm back to its normal
position, you will observe that the muscle is no
longer contracted.
What changes are observed in muscles when
they contract?
When muscles contract, they become shorter, thicker, and stiffer.
Functioning of muscles
Muscles work in pairs to pull a bone. If one muscle contracts, then its partner (the other
muscle of the pair) relaxes. This pulls the bone towards the contracted muscle. Such
pairs of muscles that cause opposing movements are called antagonistic muscles.
Can you tell how muscles come back to their original position?
When the relaxed muscles contract and the contracted muscles relax, muscles are
pulled back to their original position.
Kind of muscles
• Voluntary muscles: Muscles that can be controlled by our will. Example, muscles of
hands and legs.
• Involuntary muscles: Muscles that are not under our control. Examples, muscles
found in stomach, intestines, etc.
• Cardiac muscles: Muscles found in our heart walls; these are special kind of
involuntary muscles that are capable of rapid movement and do not get tired.
Can muscles of the same group contract and relax at the same time?
When some muscles undergoes contraction, at the some time there are some muscles
of the same group that relax. This functioning of muscles help in the performance of
various operations in our body.
People go to the gym to maximize muscle building. On which muscles do they
work?
Biceps are present on the front part of our upper arm while triceps are at the back.
Abdominal muscles (abs) are pair of muscles present in the front of abdomen.
Find out yourself about the other muscles.
Some Interesting Facts:
• Did you know that there are more than 650 muscles in the human body?
• Sartorius is the longest muscle in the human body. It runs from the hip to the
knee.
Lever Mechanisms in Human Skeleton
There exists some lever actions in our skeletal systems, that make the movement of
different body parts easier.
• First Order Lever: Fulcrum (F) is in between Power (P) and Weight (W). Example,
extension of arm at the elbow by the action of triceps muscles, and resting of skull on
first and second neck vertebrae.
• Second Order Lever: Fulcrum and power are at the two ends with the weight in
between. Example, gastrocnemius muscle raising weight of the body on the toes.
• Third Order Lever: Fulcrum and weight are at the two ends with the power in between.
Example, biceps muscles flexing the arms.
