Structure and Basic Functions of the Human Skeleton

by

in

Need help with assignments?

Our qualified writers can create original, plagiarism-free papers in any format you choose (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, etc.)

Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.

Click Here To Order Now

The human skeleton is the internal framework of the human body. The skeleton main function is to support and give the human body shape. The major bones of the skeleton are:

  1. The skull- It is made up of the cranium, mandible, and maxilla;
  2. The shoulder girdle- It consist of the clavicle and scapula;
  3. The arm- It consist of the humerus, radius, ulna;
  4. The hand- it is made up of carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges;
  5. The chest- It is made up of the Sternum, and ribs;
  6. The spine- It consist of the Cervical area (top7 vertebrae), Thoracic (next 12), Lumbar (bottom 5 vertebrae), Sacrum (5fused together bones) and the Coccyx (the tiny bit at the bottom of the spine);
  7. The pelvic girdle- It consist of the Ilium, Pubis and Ischium;
  8. The leg- It consist of the Femur, Tibia and Fibula;
  9. The ankle- It consist of the Talus and calcaneus;
  10. The foot- It consist of the Tarsals, Metatarsals and Phalanges.

It is the internal structure that supports the human body with the help of the muscular system allows movement, it also helps to protect the vital organs found inside it from being damaged.

The human skeleton is made up of 275 different bones and as the body matures some of these bones start to fuse together leaving only 206 bones in an adult body.

The function of the human skeleton includes: 1) blood production; 2) movement; 3) shape; 4) protection.

The two major systems of bones in the human body are axial and appendicular skeleton. Axial skeleton is mainly for protection. It forms the main axis/core of a human skeletal system. Cranium protects the brain. Made up of hard sheets of bones with fixed joints. Sort of a ball shape at the back. It is comprised of eight cranial and fourteen facial bones. The cranial bones make up the protective frame of bone around the brain. The facial bones make up the shape of a human face. Thorax protects the heart and lungs, and it also helps in shape of the body. The vertebrae of a human spine are held together firmly by strong ligaments that allow little movement between your adjacent vertebrae but allow a reasonable degree of flexibility along the spine. Its main function is to protect the spinal cord and it also helps in supporting the ribcage by maintaining the balance between it and the abdominal cavity.

Appendicular skeleton also help sometimes in protection. It allows easy body movement and protects the organs of digestion, excretion, and reproduction. The appendicular skeleton is the part of the skeleton that includes the pectoral girdle, the upper limbs, the pelvic girdle, and the lower limbs. The appendicular skeleton and the axial skeleton together make up the complete skeleton.

Need help with assignments?

Our qualified writers can create original, plagiarism-free papers in any format you choose (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, etc.)

Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.

Click Here To Order Now