The Skeletal System



The Skeletal System

Explain In Detail The Functions Of The Skeleton

Skeleton is an integral part of our body. Packed with over 206 bones, it frames our structure into a perfect outfit of a human body. Primarily, skeleton system has five main jobs to offer. Firstly in the form of shaping body, secondly- providing support to important organs, third- assisting bodily movements, fourth- protection of inner organ systems and fifth- for production and storage of blood cells and minerals (EB , 2013).

Shape

Our basic body shape is genetically determined by our bone structure. Skeleton system gives rigidity and form to us so that we no longer look to be a mass of flesh and organs, just like a jelly fish. The skeleton gives weight to the body from the head, including trunk and upper regions down till lower extremities that helps make humans maintain an upright posture. The shape is subject to slight deformations with time, with bones getting weaker and bending with weight (EB, 2013).

Support

Skeleton is designed such as to hold the bodily organs together securely and provide mechanical support to organ systems such as they are able to carry on their movements easily during locomotion and other processes. This is achieved by interaction between bones and muscles through tendons and bone to bone by ligaments. Important organs like lungs and heart which require rhythmic expansion and contraction are encased in rib cage, which is built naturally to encompass such movements. The brain rests inside strong helmet type skull bones in the head and the abdominal cavity holds gastrointestinal organs. Other prominent support is provided by joints, spinal cord and by pelvis cradles to digestive and reproductive organs.

Movement

The joint effort of both muscles and skeleton system to produce movement is called Musculo-skeletal system. As muscles contract, it pulls the bone accordingly, enabling the person to move like running or walking. The kind of movement also has a lot to do with the shape of skeleton. For example, small bones present in the foot makes a person to adapt with all types of terrain while little bones in the hands enables men to do precisely concentrated work.

Protection

The skeleton serves to body guard the internal organs from any harm by incasing them within tough bones. The brain is held safely within the cranium and the delicate spinal nerves are best protected in the vertebral or spinal cord and enabling major nervous system branching throughout the body. Similarly, the bony thorax with ribs and sternum secures the heart and lungs and the maxilla and teeth guard the tongue and buccal cavity (NRPT, 2013).

Blood Cell Production and Storage

On an average 2.6 million RBC's are produced every second by bone marrow. Bone marrow is a substance that produces three types of blood cells red, white and platelets, and also repairs damaged cells. These are found within the cavity of long bones such as thigh bone of femur. Yellow bone marrow is the other type of marrow that stores fat and converts into ...