Skeletal System: Definition, Parts, Functions, Tips for Keeping a Healthy Skeletal System

Skeletal System: The skeleton is like your body's framework. It shapes your body, lets you move, produces blood cells, shields your organs, and holds minerals. Another name for the skeleton is the musculoskeletal system.

What Is a Skeletal System?

What Are the Main Parts of the Skeletal System?

• Bones: The main support for your body comes from bones. Adults possess between 206 and 213 bones.
• Muscles: Composed of tightly woven, stretchy fibres, muscles – numbering over 600 in your body – aid in activities like walking, running, and jumping, as well as essential functions like breathing and digesting food.
• Cartilage: Acting as a robust and flexible tissue, cartilage serves as a shock absorber in various joints throughout your body.
• Ligaments: Tissue bands connecting bones to other bones are known as ligaments.
• Tendons: Cords linking muscles to bones are called tendons.
• Joints: Any point where two bones meet is a joint, which may include some or all of the elements mentioned above.

Axial Skeleton

Skull bones

• Cranial bones. TThe main part of your skull is made up of eight cranial bones. They play a role in safeguarding your brain.
• Facial bones. On the front of the skull, there are 14 facial bones that together form the face.

Auditory ossicles

• malleus (hammer)
• incus (anvil)
• stapes (stirrup)

Hyoid

Vertebral column

• Cervical vertebrae. These seven bones are found in the head and neck.
• Thoracic vertebrae. These 12 bones are found in the upper back.
• Lumbar vertebrae. These five bones are found in the lower back.

Thoracic cage

Appendicular Skeleton

Pectoral girdle

Upper limbs

• Upper Arm Bone: The humerus is the lengthy bone in the upper arm .
• Forearm Bones: The radius is one of the two lengthy bones in the forearm, located on the thumb side. The ulna is the second long bone in the forearm, situated on the pinky finger side.
• Wrist Bones: The carpals are a set of eight bones located in the wrist area.
• Hand Bones: The metacarpals are five bones situated in the middle part of the hand.
• Finger Bones: The phalanges are 14 bones composing the fingers.

Pelvic girdle

• Ilium: The top part of each hip bone.
• Ischium: A curved bone forming the base of each hip bone.
• Pubis: Found in the front part of the hip bone.

Lower limbs

• Femur. The femur is the large bone of the upper leg.
• Tibia. The tibia is the main bone of the lower leg. It forms the shin.
• Fibula. The fibula is the second bone in the lower leg, found in the outer leg.
• Patella. The patella is also called the kneecap.
• Tarsals. The tarsals are the seven bones that make up the ankle.
• Metatarsal. The metatarsals are the five bones that make up the middle area of the foot.
• Phalanges. The phalanges are 14 bones that comprise the toes.

What Are the Functions of the Skeletal System?

• The primary function of the skeletal system is to provide structural support to the body. Bones act as a framework that gives the body its shape and form.
• The axial skeleton, including the skull, vertebral column, and ribcage, supports the central axis of the body, while the appendicular skeleton, consisting of the limbs and girdles, facilitates movement and supports the limbs.

• Bones serve as protective shields for vital organs. For instance, the skull protects the brain, the ribcage safeguards the heart and lungs, and the vertebrae shield the spinal cord.
• Without the skeletal system, these delicate and vital structures would be more susceptible to injury and damage.

• The skeletal system provides a framework for muscles to attach, allowing for coordinated movement. Muscles pull on bones, and the joints act as levers, facilitating a wide range of movements from simple tasks like walking to complex activities like playing sports.
• Joint flexibility and mobility are crucial for performing daily activities and maintaining an active lifestyle.

• Within the bone marrow, a soft tissue found in the cavities of bones, blood cells are produced. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are essential components for the body's immune system, oxygen transport, and blood clotting, respectively.

• Bones act as a reservoir for essential minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorus. These minerals play a vital role in various physiological processes, including muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting.
• When the body requires these minerals for metabolic processes, the skeletal system releases them into the bloodstream.

• The skeletal system contributes to the maintenance of the body's acid-base balance by absorbing or releasing alkaline salts from the bones. This process helps regulate the pH level of bodily fluids.
• Additionally, the skeletal system plays a role in regulating the concentration of calcium in the blood, which is crucial for nerve function and muscle contraction.

• Over the course of a lifetime, the skeletal system undergoes continuous remodelling. Bone tissue is constantly being broken down and rebuilt, which helps maintain the structural integrity of the skeleton.
• Regular weight-bearing activities and a balanced diet contribute to bone health and help prevent conditions like osteoporosis.

What kinds of conditions affect the skeletal system?

Fractures

Metabolic bone diseases

Arthritis

Cancer

Spinal curvatures

• Kyphosis. Kyphosis creates a rounding in the upper back.
• Lordosis. Lordosis causes the lower back to curve inward.
• Scoliosis. Scoliosis causes an S- or C-shaped curve in the spine.

Conditions and Disorders

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Osteoporosis

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Lupus
• Sjögren’s syndrome

• Sports injuries
• Bone fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations
• Muscle strains (pulled muscles)
• Ligament tears and sprains

Common signs or symptoms of skeletal issues

• Pain (including muscle pain, joint pain, or bone pain)
• Stiffness
• Swelling (inflammation)
• Skin discoloration or bruising
• A feeling of heat or warmth
• Trouble moving a part of your body (a reduced range of motion)
• Hearing or feeling a pop or grinding

Common tests done on the skeletal system

• X-rays
• Ultrasounds
• A computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• A bone density test (DXA scan)

What are common treatments for the skeletal system?

• Medication: Non-prescription drugs such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and acetaminophen can ease pain and reduce swelling. Your healthcare provider may recommend corticosteroids or specific medications for treating autoimmune conditions.
• Immobilisation: Following an injury, it's typical to use a brace, splint, sling, or cast. This will keep the injured area stable during your recovery. Your healthcare provider will advise on the type of restraint needed and the duration for wearing it.
• Physical therapy: A physical therapist will assist you in building muscle strength and improving flexibility, especially after an injury.
• Arthroplasty (joint replacement): In certain cases, individuals may require partial or complete joint replacements, with hips and knees being commonly replaced joints. Your healthcare provider or surgeon will provide information on what to anticipate.

Tips for a Healthy Skeletal System

• Consume calcium. Calcium-rich foods include leafy green vegetables, broccoli, tofu, and fish such as salmon.
• Get enough vitamin D. Most people get plenty of this by spending regular time outdoors, but a vitamin D supplement can help those in areas that don’t get much sunlight.
• Do weight-bearing exercises. These include things like walking, jogging, and climbing stairs.
• Wear protection. Always wear protective gear when riding a bike or playing contact sports to avoid bone fractures and other potentially serious injuries.