Unit 8A: Understand the impact of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and their associated
corrective treatments
Structure Functions of the human musculoskeletal system
Skeleton Support- The skeleton provides support to resist compression, tension,
shearing and gravity. It supports keeping the body upright, supporting
vital tissues and organs and the skeleton prevents and protects our
internal organs from being squashed by the force of gravity.
Leverage and movement-The skeleton provides areas for attachment of
the tendons of skeletal muscles to allow the movement of the body.
Protection of body organs- The cranium protects our brain from
becoming damaged, the vertebral column protects our spinal cord, the
rib cage protects our internal organs such as our heart and lungs from
being damaged. Our whole skeleton protects our body organs from
being squashed by the force of gravity.
Production of blood cells- The red marrow in the ends of bones is an
important site for the blood cell production of different types of blood
cells, where they can migrate to the blood to perform their specific
functions.
Storage of minerals- Calcium and phosphorus are the main minerals
stored in the bones which helps regulate mineral balance in the
bloodstream and muscle. When minerals are high they are stored in the
bone and when minerals are low they are withdrawn from the bone.
Ligaments Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues which attach bones to other
bones to form and strengthen joints, allowing the flexibility of the joints.
Skeletal muscles Skeleton muscles are responsible for most of the body’s movement and
breathing. The skeletal muscles work by contracting and relaxing in
antagonistic pairs.
They maintain body posture and position- certain muscle fibres are
always contracted which produce muscle tone.
They maintain body temperature- when extremely cold the muscles
contract quickly (through shivering) which increases the rate of
respiration, producing ATP for contraction with some energy being
released as heat to help maintain the normal body temperature (around
37℃).
They prevent joints from dislocating by holding bones in their correct
positions.
Tendons Tendons connect muscle to bone, are quite stretchy and store elastic
energy. When a muscle contracts the force exerted by the contracting
muscle pulls on the tendon and this contraction moves bones allowing
flexion and extension of the limbs.
The importance of joints and their structure and role in enabling normal movement of the
joints
corrective treatments
Structure Functions of the human musculoskeletal system
Skeleton Support- The skeleton provides support to resist compression, tension,
shearing and gravity. It supports keeping the body upright, supporting
vital tissues and organs and the skeleton prevents and protects our
internal organs from being squashed by the force of gravity.
Leverage and movement-The skeleton provides areas for attachment of
the tendons of skeletal muscles to allow the movement of the body.
Protection of body organs- The cranium protects our brain from
becoming damaged, the vertebral column protects our spinal cord, the
rib cage protects our internal organs such as our heart and lungs from
being damaged. Our whole skeleton protects our body organs from
being squashed by the force of gravity.
Production of blood cells- The red marrow in the ends of bones is an
important site for the blood cell production of different types of blood
cells, where they can migrate to the blood to perform their specific
functions.
Storage of minerals- Calcium and phosphorus are the main minerals
stored in the bones which helps regulate mineral balance in the
bloodstream and muscle. When minerals are high they are stored in the
bone and when minerals are low they are withdrawn from the bone.
Ligaments Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues which attach bones to other
bones to form and strengthen joints, allowing the flexibility of the joints.
Skeletal muscles Skeleton muscles are responsible for most of the body’s movement and
breathing. The skeletal muscles work by contracting and relaxing in
antagonistic pairs.
They maintain body posture and position- certain muscle fibres are
always contracted which produce muscle tone.
They maintain body temperature- when extremely cold the muscles
contract quickly (through shivering) which increases the rate of
respiration, producing ATP for contraction with some energy being
released as heat to help maintain the normal body temperature (around
37℃).
They prevent joints from dislocating by holding bones in their correct
positions.
Tendons Tendons connect muscle to bone, are quite stretchy and store elastic
energy. When a muscle contracts the force exerted by the contracting
muscle pulls on the tendon and this contraction moves bones allowing
flexion and extension of the limbs.
The importance of joints and their structure and role in enabling normal movement of the
joints
