Skeletal System

The skeletal system functions as the basic framework of a body and the entire body are built around the
hard framework of Skeleton. It is the combination of all the bones and tissues associated with cartilages
and joints. Almost all the rigid or solid parts of the body are the main components of the skeletal system.
Joints play an important role in the skeletal system as it helps in permitting the different types of
movements at different locations. If the skeleton were without joints, then there would be no sign of the
movements in the human body.
Skeletal System Anatomy
This skeletal system can be divided into the axial and appendicular systems. In an adult body, it is
mainly composed of 206 individual bones which are organized into two main divisions:

 Axial skeleton
 Appendicular skeleton.
Axial skeleton
The axial skeleton runs along the body’s central axis, therefore it is called ad the central core of the
human body. The axial skeleton is composed of 80 bones and it consists of:

1. Skull Bone – It includes 8 cranial bones, 14 facial bones, 6 auditory ossicles, and the Hyoid Bone
2. The bone of the Thoracic Cage – It includes 25 bones of the thorax- a breastbone and 24 ribs.
3. The bone of the Vertebral column- It includes 24 vertebrae bones, the sacrum bone, and the
coccyx bone.

Appendicular skeleton
The appendicular skeleton is composed of 126 bones and it comprises of the-

1. Pelvic girdle
2. Upper Limbs
3. Lower Limbs
4. Shoulder Girdle or the Pectoral

Skeletal System Physiology

The primary functions of the skeletal system include movement, support, protection production of blood
cells, storage of minerals and endocrine regulation.
Support
The primary function of the skeletal system is to provide the solid framework to support and safeguard
the human body and its organs. This helps in maintaining the overall shape of the human body.
Protection
The skeletal system also helps to protect our internal organs and other delicate body organs, including
the brain, heart, lungs and spinal cord by acting as a buffer. Our cranium (skull) protects our brain and
eyes, the ribs protect our heart and lungs and our vertebrae (spine, backbones) protect our spinal cord.
Movement
Bones provide the basic structure for muscles to attach themselves onto so that our bodies are able to
move. Tendons are tough inelastic bands that attach our muscle to that particular bone.
Storage
The bone matrix of the skeletal system is mainly involved in storing or preserving different types of
essential minerals which are required to facilitate growth and repair of the body cells and tissues. The
cell matrix acts as our calcium bank by storing and releasing calcium ions into the blood cell when
required.
Regulation of Endocrine glands
The bone cells present within the skeletal system plays an important role in releasing the synthesized
hormones from the respective endocrine glands for further requirement by the body for
different metabolisms. Apart from these functions, the skeletal system also contributes to the regulation
of blood sugar.
For a common man, a day is packed with a lot of activities. Being at same position or place, one cannot
carry out all these activities. Hence, we need to change our position or move from one place to another.
A human body exhibits a variety of movements like walking, bending, crawling, running, jumping, and so
on. Even when we are sitting idle, we can sense some types of movements in us. What makes us
capable of doing activities is what we are framed of the viz. skeleton. Human anatomy is very deeper
than what we see from outside.

Human Skeleton

Skeleton and Locomotion

Locomotion in generally is referred as a process of movement from one place to another. While the
locomotion of a human body is put together by an effort of bones and muscles. The human body has a
collection of bones called skeletons beneath muscles, skins, internal organs. This skeleton system
supports and shapes the human body.
A human body is composed of 206 bones that are mainly involved in the locomotion and in protecting
several vital organs.The skeleton of a fish is different from that of a human which is in turn different from
that of a bird. The skeleton of an organism varies from organism to organism depends on their type of
movement. This skeletal system frames whole body as well as support.
Joints are points at which two bones meet. They help in easy and convenient movements in our body
like bending, rotation, writing, running, etc. Based on flexibility and mobility, joints can be further
classified into movable joints and immovable or fixed joints. Movable joints are flexible while fixed joints
are joints where bones are fused and non-flexible.

Parts of the Skeletal System

The skeletal system has two unique parts:

 The axial skeleton

This skeleton system continues along the body’s central axis. The axial skeleton is composed of 80
bones. They include:

1. 22 bones in the skull.

2. 7 bones in the hyoid.
3. 25 bones in the rib cage.
4. 26 bones in the vertebral column.

 Appendicular skeleton.
The appendicular skeleton consists of the limbs and girdles. It made up of 126 bones and is divided into
six major regions which includes

1. 4 bones inside the shoulder girdle.

2. 6 bones in the arm and forearm.
3. 54 bones in the hands.
4. 2 bones in the pelvis or pelvic region.
5. 8 bones in the legs.
6. 52 bones in the foot.

Muscles
Muscles are specialized tissues which assist bones in locomotion. Muscles cover the bones present in
our body and are attached to bones by the tissues called tendons. Muscles and bones together help us
in movements.
Bending and stretching of a body part is an outcome of contraction and relaxation of corresponding
muscles present in that region. Joints help in the flexibility of bones but a bone could not be bent or
stretched until a muscle acts on it. When we have to bend a body part, muscles attached to that bone
pulls it to the direction of movement. This is because a muscle can only pull they always work as a pair.
For example, when we bend our arm, muscles at that region contract, become shorter and stiffer and
pull the bones to the direction of movement. Then for relaxation (stretching), muscles at opposite
direction have to pull the bones towards it.

Muscle Movement
Muscles and bones are a combination of locomotion, but this combination is not necessarily always happen
especially in boneless animals.