Wikijunior:Human Body/Skeleton

A diagram of the human skeleton

The skeleton is the part of our body that allows it to keep its shape. It is made up of hundreds of connected bones, each with a different role.

An adult skeleton system has 206 bones. The longest is the thigh bone - femur The smallest inside the ear - ossicles.

Parts of the Skeleton

Phalanges

• Tibia = Shin Bone
• Clavicle = Collarbone
• Vertebrae = Spine/Backbone
• Femur = Thigh
• Mandible = Jaw
• Scapula = Shoulder Bone
• Humerus = Arm
• Patella = Kneecap
• Pelvis = Hip
• Cranium = Skull
• Phalanges = Fingers and Toes

Functions of the Skeleton

The skeleton has five main functions:

• Support - the skeleton is the 'frame' which supports the body, allowing us to maintain our shape.
• Attachment - muscles, tendons and ligaments attach to the surface of the bones.
• Movement - skeletal muscles allow us to move around and these are attached to the skeleton by tendons. If it were not for the skeleton, movement would be much harder and would be very restricted.
• Protection - the skeleton protects most of the vital organs. For example the skull protects the brain and the ribcage protects the lungs and the heart.
• Blood cell production - blood cells are made inside bone marrow, which is found in bones of the skeleton.

Structure of the Skeleton

Bones contain blood vessels , nerve cells and living bones. A non-living hard matter of calcium and phosphorous protects these.

Skeleton Joints

Joints are the meeting point of bones. These restrict as well as facilitate movement of bones. Fixed joint , movable joints , ball and socket joints , pivot joints, etc., are different types of joints.