Unit 8 Learning Aim
Physiology of Human Body Systems
In this report I will discuss the function, components and structures
of the musculoskeletal system, going into detail about the diseases
and malfunctions that can happen, cures or therapies which can
improve the health. In particular, I will focus my evaluation on one
named musculoskeletal disorder, its condition and how it affects the
musculoskeletal system.
Section 1:
The musculoskeletal system plays a massive part in the movement
and support of the body and provides mineral storage. This system
consists of; bones; joints; muscles; connective tissues; cartilage;
tendons; and ligaments. It also includes the axial and appendicular
skeleton, and all of these contribute to the body's structure.
There are different bone types: Long bones which are long and thin
can be found in the arms and legs; short bones with a thin outer layer
and spongy bone marrow in the shape of a cuboid, often found in the
feet/ankles. Flat bones are thin and normally curved with spongy
bone in between the layers with a broad surface. These are found in
the frontal skull and the sternum. Sesamoid bones are found near
joints at the knees and feet and are normally teardrop-shaped.
Irregular bones are small bones found in the vertebrae, 33 individual
bones combine to make up the spinal column/vertebral column.
Bone composition is compact with spongy bone marrow and
comprises four different cell types known as Osteoblasts;
Osteoclasts; Osteoctyes; and bone lining cells. Bone composition
exerts functions like the ability to move and also to protect soft
tissues. The periosteum is a living tissue outside of your bones that
supplies the bones with blood; helps the bones grow; and helps the
bones to heal by feeding them with new cells and nerves. The
1
,Unit 8 Learning Aim
periosteum has two layers, an outer layer and a fibrous layer made
up of collagen and reticular fibres.
The axial skeleton is made up of 80 bones in the core centre of the
body. These include bones in the skull; cranial; mandible; maxilla;
cervical; thoracic; lumbar vertebrae; sacrum; coccyx; ears; neck;
back; sternum; ribs; and, vertebrae.
The Appendicular skeleton comprises bones from the pelvic girdle
bones; hands; feet; shoulder girdle; limb bones; wrists; carpals;
metacarpals; phalanges; tarsals; metatarsals; calcaneus; scapula;
clavicle ilium; pubis; ischium; and, digit bones.
As the musculoskeletal system is made up of both muscles and bones
they each have different roles in keeping the body upright and
moving. The muscle system moves parts of the body by relaxing and
contracting to extend or bring in. A muscle fibre is made up of
protein organelles (a specialised structure within a living cell) that are
connected in a line and runs along muscle cells. These proteins give
the muscle cells energy to flex and extend. The major muscle groups
are the chest; arms; back; butt; abdomen; thighs and calves. For
example, the arm can extend and contract when bringing it in and
out, this is a demonstration of muscles working to move the bones.
2
, Unit 8 Learning Aim
Tendons and joints help this
movement, a tendon is a strong
rope-like tissue that joins the
muscles and bones together. A joint
connects individual bones and allows
mobility which helps them to rub
against each other. Both of these
components take away stress from
the muscles and bones to prevent
damage when doing activities like
jumping and running. A case of this
would be jumping, when the knees bend it causes stress on the
tendons as the muscles are contracting at a high force. Joints assist
the knees to open and close which allows more involved movement.
This helps the muscles and bones work together with there being
minimal damage as possible.
Ligaments are tough tissue around all joints including knees; ankles;
elbows; and shoulders. The role of ligaments is to provide support to
joints and also to restrict the movement of joints within certain
limits. Ligaments connect two bones in a joint together and also
ensure that there is stability. An absence of ligaments would mean
that bones could twist and move too much and could even become
dislocated. If an individual experiences damage to joints or ligaments
this can lead to instability. We can see the effects by individuals with
weak ligaments more easily dislocating or spraining their bones
easily.
The bone system not only has a role in the source of movement and
structure but also acts as a guard for organs in the body and
generates heat. Bones can withstand the force of gravity and protect
the organs from being squashed by gravity. For example, the ribcage
protects the heart and lungs from injuries. Also, the skull protects the
brain. Bones generate heat when muscle cells contract , and then
3
Physiology of Human Body Systems
In this report I will discuss the function, components and structures
of the musculoskeletal system, going into detail about the diseases
and malfunctions that can happen, cures or therapies which can
improve the health. In particular, I will focus my evaluation on one
named musculoskeletal disorder, its condition and how it affects the
musculoskeletal system.
Section 1:
The musculoskeletal system plays a massive part in the movement
and support of the body and provides mineral storage. This system
consists of; bones; joints; muscles; connective tissues; cartilage;
tendons; and ligaments. It also includes the axial and appendicular
skeleton, and all of these contribute to the body's structure.
There are different bone types: Long bones which are long and thin
can be found in the arms and legs; short bones with a thin outer layer
and spongy bone marrow in the shape of a cuboid, often found in the
feet/ankles. Flat bones are thin and normally curved with spongy
bone in between the layers with a broad surface. These are found in
the frontal skull and the sternum. Sesamoid bones are found near
joints at the knees and feet and are normally teardrop-shaped.
Irregular bones are small bones found in the vertebrae, 33 individual
bones combine to make up the spinal column/vertebral column.
Bone composition is compact with spongy bone marrow and
comprises four different cell types known as Osteoblasts;
Osteoclasts; Osteoctyes; and bone lining cells. Bone composition
exerts functions like the ability to move and also to protect soft
tissues. The periosteum is a living tissue outside of your bones that
supplies the bones with blood; helps the bones grow; and helps the
bones to heal by feeding them with new cells and nerves. The
1
,Unit 8 Learning Aim
periosteum has two layers, an outer layer and a fibrous layer made
up of collagen and reticular fibres.
The axial skeleton is made up of 80 bones in the core centre of the
body. These include bones in the skull; cranial; mandible; maxilla;
cervical; thoracic; lumbar vertebrae; sacrum; coccyx; ears; neck;
back; sternum; ribs; and, vertebrae.
The Appendicular skeleton comprises bones from the pelvic girdle
bones; hands; feet; shoulder girdle; limb bones; wrists; carpals;
metacarpals; phalanges; tarsals; metatarsals; calcaneus; scapula;
clavicle ilium; pubis; ischium; and, digit bones.
As the musculoskeletal system is made up of both muscles and bones
they each have different roles in keeping the body upright and
moving. The muscle system moves parts of the body by relaxing and
contracting to extend or bring in. A muscle fibre is made up of
protein organelles (a specialised structure within a living cell) that are
connected in a line and runs along muscle cells. These proteins give
the muscle cells energy to flex and extend. The major muscle groups
are the chest; arms; back; butt; abdomen; thighs and calves. For
example, the arm can extend and contract when bringing it in and
out, this is a demonstration of muscles working to move the bones.
2
, Unit 8 Learning Aim
Tendons and joints help this
movement, a tendon is a strong
rope-like tissue that joins the
muscles and bones together. A joint
connects individual bones and allows
mobility which helps them to rub
against each other. Both of these
components take away stress from
the muscles and bones to prevent
damage when doing activities like
jumping and running. A case of this
would be jumping, when the knees bend it causes stress on the
tendons as the muscles are contracting at a high force. Joints assist
the knees to open and close which allows more involved movement.
This helps the muscles and bones work together with there being
minimal damage as possible.
Ligaments are tough tissue around all joints including knees; ankles;
elbows; and shoulders. The role of ligaments is to provide support to
joints and also to restrict the movement of joints within certain
limits. Ligaments connect two bones in a joint together and also
ensure that there is stability. An absence of ligaments would mean
that bones could twist and move too much and could even become
dislocated. If an individual experiences damage to joints or ligaments
this can lead to instability. We can see the effects by individuals with
weak ligaments more easily dislocating or spraining their bones
easily.
The bone system not only has a role in the source of movement and
structure but also acts as a guard for organs in the body and
generates heat. Bones can withstand the force of gravity and protect
the organs from being squashed by gravity. For example, the ribcage
protects the heart and lungs from injuries. Also, the skull protects the
brain. Bones generate heat when muscle cells contract , and then
3
