Skeletal system

SKELETAL SYSTEM

BONE STRUCTURE

The bones of our skeleton are divided depending on their shape and the work that they do . These are : 1 . Short bones are roughly cube shaped with vertical and horizontal dimensions approximately equal . They contain more of small needlelike bars of bone and lots of open space .They can be found in the foot tarsals and the wrist carpals . They consist of cancellous tissue covered by a thin crust of compact substance . Short bones are intended for strength and compactness combined with limited movement . Example of short

bones are the bones of the wrist and ankles . 2 . Irregular bones have no definite geometrical shape . They consist of cancellous tissue enclosed within a thin layer of compact bone . Irregular bones serve as protection of nervous tissue affording multiple anchor points for skeletal muscle attachment and maintaining pharynx and trachea support , and tongue attachment . Example are the facial bones and vertebrae . 3 . Flat bones are thin , flattened and usually curved . The bones are expanded into broad , flat plates and provides extensive protection or the provision of broad surfaces for muscular attachment . Flat bones protect our internal organs . They enclose our vital organs . Example of flat bones are the ribs , shoulder blades , hipbones and cranial bones (MARIEB . 2002

CARTILAGE

Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue providing a framework upon which bone deposition can begin and supplying smooth surfaces for the movement of articulating bones . There are three (3 ) types of cartilage . These are

Hyaline cartilage is the most abundant type of cartilage . It consists of a gristly mass of a firm consistence , but of considerable elasticity and pearly bluish color . Hyaline cartilage is found lining bones in joints and inside bones serving as a center of bone growth

Fibrocartilage is a specialize type of cartilage found in areas requiring tough support or great tensile strength such as between intervertabral discs , the pubic and other symphyses , and at sites connecting tendons or ligaments to bones . When the hyaline cartilage at the end of long bones as the femur is damaged , it is often replaced with fibrocartilage , which does not withstand weight-bearing forces

Elastic Cartilage is a type of cartilage present in the outer ear larynx , and epiglottis which contains fibers made of elastin . Elastic cartilage is similar to hyaline cartilage but contains elastic bundles scattered throughout the matrix This provides a tissue which is stiff yet elastic

DIVISIONS OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

The axial skeleton forms the central axis of the body . It consists of the skull , the vertebral column , the ribs and the sternum or breastbone It consist of the bones of the skull , vertebral column or backbone , and the rib cage . The skull consists of 28 different bones . The groups of the bones of the skull are : the cranium which encloses and protects the brain and the facial bones . The backbone forms the central part of the skeleton . It supports the skull and protects the spinal cord . It also serves as attachment for the ribs , the...