4.1: Bones of the Skeletal System
These are some of the professionals that treat
musculoskeletal problems:
Orthopedic surgeons (prevention and correction of injuries
of the skeletal system, muscles, joints, and ligaments)
Osteopathic physicians (focuses on prevention, wellness,
and the body’s natural ability to heal)
Chiropractors (focuses on diagnosis and treatment of
misalignments of joints)
Physical therapists and assistants (treat pain, disease,
or injury by physical therapeutic measures as opposed to
medical or surgical measures)
Orthopedic technologists and technicians (assist
orthopedic surgeons in their treatment of patients)
Podiatrist (treats feet and their ailments)
Components of the skeletal system:
Bones
Cartilage
Tendons
Ligaments
Functions of the skeletal system:
Support
Protection
Blood formation
Mineral storage and balance
Detoxification
Endocrine regulation
Support:
The bones of your vertebral column, pelvis, and legs hold up
your body. The jawbone supports your teeth
,Protection:
The skull protects your brain. The vertebral column protects
your spinal cord. The rib cage protects your heart and lungs
Blood Formation:
Bone marrow in many bones is the major producer of blood
cells
Mineral Storage & Balance:
The skeletal system stores calcium and phosphorus
Detoxification:
Bones remove metals such as lead and radium from the
blood, store them, and then release them for excretion
Endocrine Regulation:
Bone cells release a hormone called osteocalcin which
increases insulin secretion and reduces stores of fat
Muscles cannot function without their attachments to
skeletal bones
Suffixes:
-ic: pertaining to
-or: doer
-fication: to remove
-al: pertaining to
-ist: specialist
-pathy: disease
Definitions:
1. Cartilage: Nonvascular, firm connective tissue found mostly
in joints
2. Ligament: Band of fibrous tissue connecting two structures
3. Muscle: Tissue consisting of cells that contract
4. Tendon: Fibrous band that connects muscle to bone
, 5. MD: Doctor of medicine
6. DO: Doctor of Osteopathy
7. DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
8. PT: Physical Therapist
Classification of Bones:
Can be long, short, flat, or irregular
Long: considerably longer than they are wide
o Ex] limbs, palms, soles, fingers, and toes
Short: nearly as long as they are wide
o Ex] patella (kneecap), bones of the wrist and ankles
Flat:
o Bones of the skull and the ribs
Irregular:
o Vertebrae
Structure of the Bones:
Long bones are the most common in your body
o Ex] Although your arms and legs are long, very few
bones make up that length
Diaphysis: The shaft of a long bone
o Contains compact bone (cortical bone)
o Contains a hollow cylinder called the medulla which
contains bone marrow (fatty tissue)
Epiphysis: (epi=upon, physis=growth); expanded area at
the proximal and distal ends of a long bone to provide
increased surface area for attachment of ligaments and
tendons
o Ends of the bone
o Spongy material
Epiphysial plate: thin layers of cartilage cells that allow
bones to grow longer
o Between the diaphysis and epiphysis
Periosteum: tough connective tissue covers the outer
surface of all bones
o Protects the bone
These are some of the professionals that treat
musculoskeletal problems:
Orthopedic surgeons (prevention and correction of injuries
of the skeletal system, muscles, joints, and ligaments)
Osteopathic physicians (focuses on prevention, wellness,
and the body’s natural ability to heal)
Chiropractors (focuses on diagnosis and treatment of
misalignments of joints)
Physical therapists and assistants (treat pain, disease,
or injury by physical therapeutic measures as opposed to
medical or surgical measures)
Orthopedic technologists and technicians (assist
orthopedic surgeons in their treatment of patients)
Podiatrist (treats feet and their ailments)
Components of the skeletal system:
Bones
Cartilage
Tendons
Ligaments
Functions of the skeletal system:
Support
Protection
Blood formation
Mineral storage and balance
Detoxification
Endocrine regulation
Support:
The bones of your vertebral column, pelvis, and legs hold up
your body. The jawbone supports your teeth
,Protection:
The skull protects your brain. The vertebral column protects
your spinal cord. The rib cage protects your heart and lungs
Blood Formation:
Bone marrow in many bones is the major producer of blood
cells
Mineral Storage & Balance:
The skeletal system stores calcium and phosphorus
Detoxification:
Bones remove metals such as lead and radium from the
blood, store them, and then release them for excretion
Endocrine Regulation:
Bone cells release a hormone called osteocalcin which
increases insulin secretion and reduces stores of fat
Muscles cannot function without their attachments to
skeletal bones
Suffixes:
-ic: pertaining to
-or: doer
-fication: to remove
-al: pertaining to
-ist: specialist
-pathy: disease
Definitions:
1. Cartilage: Nonvascular, firm connective tissue found mostly
in joints
2. Ligament: Band of fibrous tissue connecting two structures
3. Muscle: Tissue consisting of cells that contract
4. Tendon: Fibrous band that connects muscle to bone
, 5. MD: Doctor of medicine
6. DO: Doctor of Osteopathy
7. DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
8. PT: Physical Therapist
Classification of Bones:
Can be long, short, flat, or irregular
Long: considerably longer than they are wide
o Ex] limbs, palms, soles, fingers, and toes
Short: nearly as long as they are wide
o Ex] patella (kneecap), bones of the wrist and ankles
Flat:
o Bones of the skull and the ribs
Irregular:
o Vertebrae
Structure of the Bones:
Long bones are the most common in your body
o Ex] Although your arms and legs are long, very few
bones make up that length
Diaphysis: The shaft of a long bone
o Contains compact bone (cortical bone)
o Contains a hollow cylinder called the medulla which
contains bone marrow (fatty tissue)
Epiphysis: (epi=upon, physis=growth); expanded area at
the proximal and distal ends of a long bone to provide
increased surface area for attachment of ligaments and
tendons
o Ends of the bone
o Spongy material
Epiphysial plate: thin layers of cartilage cells that allow
bones to grow longer
o Between the diaphysis and epiphysis
Periosteum: tough connective tissue covers the outer
surface of all bones
o Protects the bone
