Bones: The Skeleton That Forms Us

An Overview of the Skeletal System by Victoria Hannum and Drew Patti

 Functions of Bones
Support- The human body would be a limp pile of organs, muscle and skin without
the support of bones.

Protection- Our bones cover and surround internal organs for protection from injury.

Movement- Our bones act as levers while the joints serve as fulcrums. Bones are
used as points of attachment for muscles.

Storage- Bones are a storage unit in the marrow for minerals, mostly calcium and
phosphorus. Most calcium is deposited as calcium salts.

Blood Cell Formation- Hematopoiesis occurs within the marrow cavities of certain
bones.
 Shapes of Bones
Long
Tubular shaft and articular
surface at each end, longer
than their width.
Short
Tubular shaft and
articular surface at
each end, small and
boxy.
Flat
Two thin compact layers with spongy bone
between, some are curved. Provide
protection for organs or muscle attachment
sites.
Irregular
Irregular in size and
shape, usually
compact.
 Joints

Articular Cartilage
Smooth white tissue that covers ends of bones that come together to form
joints.

Articular Capsule
This is the fibrous layer of the capsule, serves to reinforce the joint
capsule.

Joint Cavity
Fibrous connective tissue that encloses the cavity of a synovial joint.
Attaches to the articular end of each bone that are involved.

Reinforcing Ligaments
Enclosed by the articular capsule. Space between the bones and contains
the lubricating synovial fluid.
 Tendons vs. Ligaments

A ligament is a
fibrous connective
tissue that connects
A tendon is a fibrous connective a bone to another
tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. Ligaments are
bone, as well as attaching muscles responsible for
to structures (i.e. an eye). Tendons holding structures
are responsible for moving the together and
bone/structure. maintaining
stability, aiding in
the functions of
joints.
 Hyaline
Fibrocartilage
Elastic

Cartilage Common Locations

Semi-rigid connective tissue in areas Sturdy support
Not sturdy, with some
flexible
where flexibility and smooth surfaces Sturdy, not
flexibility.as
Epiglottis
support movement, transition between Moreflexible,
opaque tough
than hyaline,
Knee Joint
Nose
and resilient.
tendons or ligaments or bones. distinguished by its yellow color.
Ear
Intervertebral
Semitransparent
Trachea with a
Three Important Types opalescent
Parallel,Disks
bluish tintcompact
thick,
Ribs composed
Penetrated
of in all directions
basophilic
collagenous fibril. frequently
bundles.
Pubic
Long Symphysis
End Bones
branching fibers give all of the
reactions
Separated by for elastin.
narrow clefts
containing chondrocytes.
Common Diseases

Rickets
Scoliosis
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid
Gouty (Gout)
Common Diseases- Rickets
• Symptoms
• Often in young children
• Softening growth plates at end of bones & weakening of bones
• Difficult to maintain proper calcium & phosphorus levels in bone when prolonged
deficiency of vitamin D
• Can be corrected by adding vitamin D or calcium to diet
• Deformities
• Pain in spine, pelvis & legs
• Delayed growth
• Breastbone projection
• Thickened wrists & ankles
• Muscle weakness
• Bowed legs or knock knees
 Common Diseases- Scoliosis

• Symptoms
• Mostly occurs during the growth spurt
before puberty
• Can be caused by cerebral palsy & muscular
or birth defects & injuries or infections of
the spine
• Most causes of scoliosis is still unknown
• Deformities
• Uneven shoulders
• Uneven waist
• One hip higher than the other
• A shoulder blade may appear more
prominent than the other
Common Diseases- Arthritis
• Inflammation of one or more of your joints
• Main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with
age
• Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis
• The main goals of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality
of life
• Symptoms Include:
• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Decreased range of motion
Common Arthritic Diseases
• Osteoarthritis
• Occurs when protective cartilage at ends of bones are worn down.
• Stay active, maintain a healthy weight & other treatments can slow the
progression & help with pain & function

• Joints commonly affected

• Hands
• Knees
• Hips
• Spine
Common Arthritic Diseases Cont’d
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Chronic inflammatory disorder
• Occurs when immune system mistakenly attacks the
body tissue
• Affects the lining of the joints. Cause painful swelling
& eventually result in bone erosion & joint deformity
• Most cases occur in same joints on both sides of body

• Joints commonly affected

• Fingers and Toes (first)
• Wrists, Knees, Ankles, Hips, Shoulders, Elbows
Common Arthritic Diseases Cont’d
• Gouty (Gout)
• Sudden sever attacks of unbearable pain, swelling, redness & tenderness in the
joint
• Occurs when urated crystals accumulate in the joint

• Joints commonly affected

• Joint at the base of the big toe
• Ankles
• Elbows
• Knees
• Fingers
• Wrists
 References
• Arthritis. (2018, March 07). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772

• Marieb E.N. (2015). Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (11th Ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.

• Musculoskeletal • 3D Anatomy Atlas • AnatomyZone. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://anatomyzone.com/tutorials/musculoskeletal

• (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/

• Osteoporosis. (2016, July 07). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases conditions/osteoporosis/symptomscauses/syc-20351968

• Tendon vs. ligament: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19089.htm

• The Human Body. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps