BASIC SKELETAL SYSTEM AND IT FUNCTION

BASIC SKELETAL

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FUNCTION OF SKELETAL SYSTEM

- SHAPE

Bone structure gives shape to the body. This shape changes as you grow, and your skeletal system determines your height, width and other factors, such as the size of your hands and feet. Body shape or type is genetically inherited. There are three main body shapes -- ectomorphs (tall and thin), mesomorphs (shorter and muscular) and endormorphs (apple or pear-shaped).

- SUPPORT

The skeleton provides support to the body and keeps your internal organs in their proper place. The vertebral column allows you to stand erect, while cavities -- hollow spaces in the skeleton are designed to hold your organs. For example, the skull holds the brain, the chest cavity holds your lungs and heart while the abdominal cavity holds your gastrointestinal organs. Additionally, the pelvis and leg bones are strong and thick to support the weight of the entire skeleton.

- MOVEMENT

The skeletal bones are held together by ligaments. Tendons attach your muscles to the bones of your skeleton. The muscular and skeletal systems work together to carry out bodily movement, and together they are called the musculoskeletal system. When muscles contract, the skeleton moves.

The shape of the skeletal system also impacts movement. The small bones of the foot allow for adaptation to all sorts of terrain, while the small bones in the hands allow for precise and detailed movement.

- PROTECTION

The skeleton protects vital organs from damage, encasing them within hard bones. The cranium bone --skull -- houses the brain, while the vertebral, or spinal, column protects the delicate spinal cord, which controls all bodily functions through communication with your brain. The bony thorax, comprised of the ribs and sternum, protects your heart and lungs.

- BLOOD CELL PRODUCTION AND STORAGE

The spongy tissue inside long bones, such as the femur, or thigh bone, have two types of marrow responsible for blood cell production. On average, 2.6 million red blood cells are produced each second by the bone marrow. Red bone marrow gives rise to blood cells while yellow bone marrow stores fat, which turns into red bone marrow in case of severe red blood cell depletion or anemia.

Skeletal bones also function as a storage bank for minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus. These minerals are necessary for vital body functions, such as nerve transmission and metabolism.

SOURCE:

-http://www.livestrong.com/article/115165-functions-skeleton/