Human
Skeleton
System
Updated as of MAY 2020
BIOLOGY
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Human skeleton system
The basic structure of human body is skeletal system. The entire body is built
around the hard framework of the skeleton.
At birth around 300 bones are present, by adulthood this total decreases to around
206 bones when bones merge together.
About the age of 21 the bone density within the skeleton achieves its full density.
Functions of skeleton system
The skeletal system performs several basic functions:
1) Support : The skeleton acts such as the structural framework for the body by
supporting soft tissues as well as giving connection points for the tendons of
majority of skeletal muscles.
2) Protection : The skeleton guards the majority of vital interior organs from
injury.
3) Assistance in movement : Mainly skeletal muscles connect to bones; as soon
as they contract, they produce movement by pulling on the bones.
4) Mineral homeostasis (storage and release) : Bone tissue stores numerous
minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorus, which add to the strength of bone.
Bone tissue stocks around 99% of the body’s calcium.
5) Blood cell production : Inside specific bones, a connective tissue known as
red bone marrow creates red blood cells, white blood cells, along with platelets, in
a process named hemopoiesis.
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Structure
The human skeleton can be distributed into the axial skeleton and the appendicular
skeleton.
The axial skeleton is created by the vertebral column, the rib cage, the skull and
other associated bones.
The appendicular skeleton, which is connected with the axial skeleton, is created
by the shoulder girdle, the pelvic girdle as well as the bones of the upper and lower
limbs.
Components
Fibrous and mineralized connective tissues create the skeleton, which gives it
firmness and flexibility. It consists of: o Bone
1) Cartilage
2) Tendon
3) Ligament
4) Joint
Bone
It is made up of collagen and calcium phosphate, a mineral crystal, and is a type of
mineralized connective tissue. Bones get their hardness from Calcium phosphate.
Bone creates the most of the skeleton and is a calcified, living, connective tissue. It
contains an intercellular calcified matrix, which also consists of collagen fibres, as well
as numerous varieties of cells within the substance.
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Bones function as:
Supportive structures for the body
Protectors of vital organs
Reservoirs of calcium and phosphorus o Levers on which muscles act to
produce movement
Containers for blood-producing cells.
Points to Remember
The osteocyte is defined as a cell that lies within the substance of fully formed
bone.
It occupies a small chamber called a lacuna, which is present in the calcified matrix
of bone.
Osteocytes derive from osteoblasts, or bone-forming cells, and are essentially
osteoblasts surrounded by the products they secreted.
Cartilage
It is a type of fibrous connective tissue. Cartilage gives flexible support for certain
structures in adult humans including the nose, trachea, and ears. Cartilage is a type of
connective tissue.
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The functions of cartilage are:
1) Support soft tissues.
2) Provide a smooth, sliding surface for bone articulations at joints.
3) Enable the development and growth of long bones.
Ligament
A fibrous band of connective tissue that joins bones and other connective tissues
together at joints. Ligaments join bones to other bones to form joints; however tendons
join bone to muscle. Certain ligaments restrict the movement of articulations, or
prevent certain activities completely.
Tendon
It is bonded to bone and coannects bone to bone and is a fibrous band of connective
tissue. A tendon usually links muscle to bone and is able to endure strain, and is a
tough strap of fibrous connective tissue. Tendons and ligaments both are created by
collagen. Ligaments join one bone to another bone, while tendons connect muscle to
bone.
Joint
A location where two or more bones or other skeletal components are joined together.
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Bones in human body
Location and Names of Bones in human body
Bone Location
It is a bowl-shaped bone in the frontal (forehead) region of the
Frontal Bone skull located superior to the nasal bones and maxillae and
anterior to the parietal bones.
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the
Temporal Bone
skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
Each human has two nasal bones located in the upper-middle
Nasal Bone area of the face, between the maxillary (upper jaw) bones'
frontal processes.
The occipital bone is the trapezoidal-shaped bone found at the
Occipital Bone
lower-back area of the cranium
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Bone Location
It protects the organs of your torso from injury and also serves as
Sternum a connection point for other bones and muscles and present in
middle of chest cavity.
The pelvic girdle is a ring-like bony structure, located in the lower
Pelvic Girdle part of the trunk. It connects the axial skeleton to the lower
limbs.
It is a cluster of seven articulating bones in each foot situated
Tarsus Bone between the lower end of the tibia and the fibula of the lower leg
and the metatarsus.
Femur Bone The femur is the only bone located within the human thigh.
The patella is a small bone located in front of the knee
Patella
joint where the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia) meet
The ulna is one of two bones that make up the forearm, the
Ulna
other being the radius.
The radius is a long bone in the forearm. It lies laterally and
Radius
parallel to ulna, the second of the forearm bones.
The most commonly injured carpal bone is the scaphoid bone,
Carapal Bone
located near the base of your thumb.
The tibia is the bone that forms the shin and is the larger of the
Tibia two lower-leg bones. The top of the tibia connects to the knee
joint and the bottom of the tibia connects to the ankle joint.
The fibula forms the calf bone. It is the smaller bone of the two
Fibula
lower-leg bones and runs parallel to the tibia.
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a long bone that serves as a strut
Clavicle
between the shoulder blade and the sternum (breastbone).
The scapula is a flat, triangular-shaped bone (colloquially as the
Scapula "shoulder blade" ). It is located in the upper thoracic region
on the dorsal surface of the rib cage
The humerus is a long bone of the upper limb, which extends
Humerus
from the shoulder to the elbow.
It is the largest bone in the human skull. It holds the lower teeth
Mandibles
in place helps in masculation of food on lower jawline.
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Human Joint system
Joints are the place of articulation between two or more bones, or between a bone and
cartilage
Joints
Perfect Joint Imperfect Joint Fixed Joint
Ball and socket Joint Hinge Joint Pivot Joint Gliding Joint
Types of Joints
On the basis of movement and locomotion the joint is divided into three categories:
Perfect Joint
Imperfect Joint
Fixed Joint
Perfect Joint
The perfect joint is very flexible, and freely movable joint. The bones can be moved in
different directions simultaneously.
At the end of the bones on a perfect joint, a thin layer of cartilage can be found.
Ligaments are present at the joint of the bones. Perfect Joint is further divided into five
subcategories:
1) Ball and Socket Joint
2) Hinge Joint
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3. Pivot Joint
4. Gliding Joint
5. Saddle Joint
Ball and Socket Joint
The ball and socket joint is the most flexible, wherein the bone can move in any
direction. Two bones make this joint, one ball shaped, and the other like a bowl
forming the socket.
In this, the femur and humerus bone can move or turn in any direction.
For Example:- Joint of femur and pelvic girdle, pectoral girdle and humerus bone.
Ball and Socket joint
Hinge Joint
The bones of this type of joint moves in a bending motion in only one direction.
For example:- Joints of Elbow and Knee ; Joints of Fingers and Toes
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Hinge Joint
Pivot Joint
In such type of joint a sharp pointed bulge is present in one bone, and a narrow gap in
the other. The pointed bulge is accommodated into the gap. It moves like an axle.
For Example:- Joints in Neck and Forearm and Joints in Secondary Vertebral Bone
Pivot Joint
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Saddle Joint
In this joint, the bulge of one bone is completely accommodated or adjustable in the
gap of another bone. But, it does not move or rotate easily and smoothly.
For Example:- The Joint of Carpels and Meta Carpels of the Thumb
Saddle Joint
Imperfect Joint
In the imperfect joint, there is an absence of the synovial cavity, and the ligaments
in the bones. These joints are not as movable as perfect joints.
For Example:- Sacroiliac and Symphysis Pubis Joints in Pelvis
Imperfect Joint
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Fixed Joint
The main function of a fixed joint is stability, which is why joints in this category do
not allow any movement, or allow very minimal movement. This is why it is called a
fixed joint.
For Example:- Suture joints in skull bones and Gomphosis joint in jaw bones
Fixed Joints
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