Skeletal System Summary

The Skeletal System: Structure, Function, and
Diseases of Bones and Joints

The skeletal system is fundamental to the human body, comprising various components that
work together to provide structure, support, and protection. It includes bones, joints, cartilages,
and ligaments, which are essential for bodily function and movement. The skeletal system is
divided into two main divisions: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.
Components of the Skeletal System

1. Bones (Skeleton)• The human skeleton consists of 206 bones.• There are two primary
types of bone tissue:• Compact Bone: Dense and forms the outer layer of bones.• Spongy
Bone: Lighter, characterized by small needle-like pieces with many open spaces.
2. Joints: • Articulations where two or more bones meet, facilitating movement.
3. Cartilages: • Flexible connective tissues that provide cushioning at joints.
4. Ligaments: • Fibrous tissues that connect bone to bone.• Tendons, which connect bones
to muscles, are also important to note.
Divisions of the Skeletal System

• Axial Skeleton: Composed of bones that form the long axis of the body, including the skull,
vertebral column, and bony thorax.
• Appendicular Skeleton: Involves bones of limbs and girdles that attach them to the axial
skeleton, including the pectoral girdle (clavicles and scapulae) and pelvic girdle (sacrum
and coccyx).
Functions of Bones
The skeletal system serves several vital functions:
• Support: Provides a framework for the body, supporting tissues and organs.
• Protection: Shields vital internal organs (e.g., skull protects the brain).
• Movement: Works with skeletal muscles to facilitate a wide range of movements.
• Storage: Reservoir for minerals (like calcium) and fats.
• Blood Cell Formation: Bone marrow produces blood cells in a process called
hematopoiesis.
Classification of Bones Based on Shape

Bones can be classified by their shape into four categories:
1. Long Bones• Longer than they are wide, with a shaft and heads at both ends.• Mainly
composed of compact bone.• Examples: Femur, humerus.
2. Short Bones• Usually cube-shaped and predominantly made of spongy bone.• Exam-
ples: Carpals, tarsals.
3. Flat Bones• Thin, flattened, and often curved, with thin layers of compact bone surround-
ing a layer of spongy bone.• Examples: Skull, ribs, sternum.
4. Irregular Bones• Have irregular shapes and do not fit into any other categories.• Exam-
ples: Vertebrae, hip bones.
Microscopic Anatomy of Bone

Bones contain various cells that facilitate their function:
• Osteocytes: Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue.
• Osteoblasts: Cells responsible for bone formation.
• Osteoclasts: Cells that break down bone tissue, essential for remodeling and mineral
release.
Bone Growth and Changes

In embryos, the skeleton primarily consists of hyaline cartilage, which gradually evolves into
bone through a process called ossification. Key points regarding bone growth include:
• Epiphyseal Plates: Sites allowing for the elongation of long bones during childhood. When
growth ceases, these plates ossify.
Bone Fractures and Healing

Fractures, or breaks in bones, are categorized as:
• Closed (Simple) Fracture: The skin remains intact.
• Open (Compound) Fracture: The break protrudes through the skin.
Healing involves several stages:

1. Hematoma formation.
2. Fibrocartilaginous callus formation.
3. Bony callus formation.
4. Bone remodeling.
Diseases and Conditions of the Skeletal System

1. Arthritis: Inflammation of joints, leading to pain and stiffness.
2. Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, causing localized pain and swelling.
3. Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons, typically resulting from overuse.
4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Results from median nerve compression, causing pain and
numbness in fingers.
5. Osteoporosis: A condition characterized by porous, fragile bones, leading to fractures,
especially in hips and wrists.
6. Scoliosis: An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, more prevalent in females.
7. Kyphosis: A spine condition causing a hunched back appearance.
8. Lordosis: An exaggerated inward curvature of the lower back.
9. Rickets: Softening of bones in children due to prolonged vitamin D deficiency.
10. Gout: A form of arthritis resulting from uric acid crystal deposits in joints.
11. Acromegaly: Overproduction of growth hormone leading to abnormal enlargement of
bones and tissues.
12. Spina Bifida: A birth defect involving incomplete spinal cord development.
13. Talipes Equinovarus (Clubfoot): A foot deformity present at birth, causing twisting and
misalignment.
14. Bone Cancer (Sarcoma and Myeloma):• Osteosarcoma: Common in young individuals,
bone cancer resulting from uncontrolled cell growth in bones.• Myeloma: Cancer affecting
bone marrow, leading to tumor formation.
15. Leukemia: Cancer of blood cells starting in the bone marrow, producing abnormal white
blood cells.
Conclusion
Understanding the skeletal system's structure, functions, and potential diseases provides
essential insights into human health. This knowledge aids in the identification and management
of various conditions affecting bones and joints, emphasizing the importance of maintaining
skeletal integrity for overall well-being.

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The Skeletal System: Structure, Function, and

Diseases of Bones and Joints

Components of the Skeletal System

Divisions of the Skeletal System

Classification of Bones Based on Shape

Microscopic Anatomy of Bone

Bone Growth and Changes

Bone Fractures and Healing

Healing involves several stages:

Diseases and Conditions of the Skeletal System

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