The Skeletal System
Directions:
To help better understand this manual, here
are some important definitions that you must know!
Skeleton: An organ system in the body that provides support and protection
to other organs.
Spongy Bone: Bone composed of meshwork of small, bony
plates filled with red marrow.
Skull: a bony structure of
vertebrates which serve as the general framework for a head. The skull
functions to protect the brain, acting as a form of natural helmet, and to
support the structures of the face.
Vertebral Spine: the
series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal
cord
Joint: the point of
connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton
Articulation: the
location at which two bones make contact
Specifications:
There are 206 bones in the body. Here are a few of the
more important ones:
Bones in the SKULL-
Frontal
Nasal
Parietal
Temporal
Sphenoid
Occipital
Mandible Maxilla
Zygomatic
Vomer
Bones in the AXIAL
SKELETON-
Regions of the Vertebral Column: Cervical, Thoracic,
Lumbar, Sacral
True Ribs
False Ribs
Floating Ribs
Sternum
Xiphoid Process
Costal Cartilage
Bones of the APPENDICULAR
SKELETON-
Clavicle
Ilium
Scapulae
Pubis
Humerus
Sacrum
Radius
Femur
Ulna
Tibia
Carpals
Fibula
Metacarpals
Tarsals
Phalanges
Metatarsals
WARNING!:
Bones can be fragile and can be easily broken. You must take precaution when playing
any sports or doing anything that could break or fracture a bone. There are many types of fractures:
Complete- Bone
is fractured all the way through
Incomplete- Bone
is partially fractured
Simple- The bone did not
puncture the skin
Compound- The
bone did puncture the skin
Impacted-
Broken ends are wedged together
Spiral- Break is ragged
because of twisting of the bone
Operation:
There are many functions that the skeleton has. Different parts of bones do different
things within the body. There are
5 main functions of this system.
1.
Supporting the body: The bones from lower limbs support the
entire body when we are standing and other bones support weight.
2.
Protection of organs: The bones of the skull protect the
brain, and the rib cage protects the heart and lungs.
3.
Produces blood cells: All bones in fetus have red bone marrow
that produces blood cells, and in the adult body only certain bones produce
blood cells.
4.
Stores minerals and fat: Bones have a matrix that
contains calcium phosphate that holds in calcium essential to bone growth.
5.
Permits flexibility: Articulations permit movement at joints
and permit limbs to move.
Safety and Maintenance:
Bones are a very important structure in the body and must
be taken care of properly. Here
are a few things that you should do to maintain bone health:
Daily: Every
day you should make sure you receive 100% of your daily value of calcium. Calcium is
stored in bones and it makes them stronger. If you get plenty of calcium while you are younger, it
stores up in the bones and helps you maintain bone health in older years. Also
throughout the week you should get plenty of exercise to make sure that your
joints and articulations are working properly.
Yearly: Every
year you should see a doctor about your bones. They should check for any problems that you might have and
they can check to see if your bones are healthy. If not, they can give you recommendations on how to make
your bones stronger.
Your body checks itself for bone problems. Synovial membranes line movable joint
cavities and secrete fluids that lubricate the ends of bones. Also too, blood cells are made within
the bone which helps the circulatory system do its job.
Troubleshooting:
Like all systems, bones experience common problems.
If joints, like knees or elbows, are in pain, you may
need to exercise them daily to continue movement. If problems persist, you may need to see a doctor and
possibly receive physical therapy.
If you have low calcium levels in your bones, taking a
supplement daily will help increase your calcium level. A doctor may recommend a certain
medication or supplement.
Upgrades:
There really are no surgical upgrades for your bones, but
you can help yourself upgrade the quality of bones by taking other
measures. The most important thing
to remember is to get the daily value of calcium recommended. This not only helps you at the time,
but when you are older, the calcium stored will help maintain bone
strength.
Roadside Assistance/Customer Support:
The Leukemia and
Lymphoma Bone Society
(800) 955-4572
Fitkin Memorial Pavillion, 789 Howard
Avenue,
New Haven, Connecticut
(203) 737-1932
Cancer
Treatment Centers of America
800-268-0786