Introduction

The human skeletal system serves as the body’s central framework. It includes the body’s bones and connective tissues, including ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Experts also call it the musculoskeletal system. This system is very important for the body and makes up about 20% of the body weight of an average human. The total number of bones in an adult’s skeleton is 206. Children’s skeletal system consists of 300 bones due to their growing process. There also exist some variations between the male skeleton and the female skeleton. The male skeleton is characterised by a higher bone mass compared to the females. Let us learn more about the various aspects of the skeletal system.

Components of the Skeletal System

The skeletal system involves a network of multiple parts that work in coordination to facilitate body movement. Bones make up the main part of this system and the framework of the body.

• Periosteum: This tough hard membrane that protects the outside of the bone
• Compact bone: Found under the periosteum, compact bone provides protection and structural support to the body. It is smooth, hard, and white in colour
• Tendons: Tendons are bands of tissue that connect the bones to the muscle ends
• Spongy bone: The bone’s inner layer, the spongy bone, is softer in comparison to the compact bone. It contains small pores that store marrow
• Joints: The joint is where two or more bones come together. There are three different types of joints—immovable joints, partly movable joints, and movable joints
  • Immovable joints: They don’t allow any bone movement, for example, the joints between the skull bones.
  • Partly movable joints: They facilitate limited bone movement, such as the joints present in your rib cage
  • Movable joints: They facilitate a substantial level of bone movement, for example, the joints present in the knee, shoulder, and elbow
• Cartilage: Cartilage covers the tips of your bones and facilitates their friction-less movement. So, the bones don’t rub against each other due to cartilage. In old age, the cartilage may wear away, causing pain and movement problems. It is smooth and flexible in nature
• Ligaments: Ligaments are bands of strong connective tissues whose function is to hold the bones together

Functions of the Skeletal System

The functions of this system are as follows:

• Provides shape and structure: The skeleton provides the shape and structure to the body
• Offers protection to organs: The skeleton offers crucial protection to vital body organs. For example, the heart and lungs are protected by the ribs
• Facilitates movement: The body’s skeleton enables a person to stand up and move around. This is possible due to the working together of muscles, connective tissues, and joints
• Production of blood cells: Bones contain bone marrow which is responsible for producing white and red blood cells
• Storage of minerals: The body’s supply of minerals is contained in the bones. For example, they provide vital minerals like calcium and vitamin D

Conditions Affecting the Skeletal System

Like any other system of the body, the skeletal system is not immune to illnesses and injuries. Below are the various examples of skeletal system conditions: 

• Arthritis: The joints wear down in arthritis and are characterised by pain in those areas. Its causes are joint wear and tear, injury, old age, muscle weakness, autoimmune disorders, and genetic history
• Fracture: When intense stress is applied to it, the bone may break. Fractures are a more common occurrence in old age as the bones lose their strength and become weak
• Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer in the bones. The cells that grow new bone form cancerous tumours. If the condition advances, the tumours may result in bone fracture
• Sprains and tears: The connective tissue gets damaged or wears down with time as sprained or tears
• Osteoporosis: A certain amount of bone loss is normal with age. However, osteoporosis is a condition characterised by extensive bone loss. The bones become brittle and have larger holes in them. Its cause is the insufficiency of calcium in the body

Conclusion

The skeletal system consists of bones and connective tissues such as ligaments, cartilages, and tendons. It may also be referred to as the musculoskeletal system. There are differences in this system’s anatomy between adults and children and between males and females. The skeletal system acts as the central framework of the body. It also facilitates movements, protects organs, stores minerals, and produces blood cells. Common illnesses and injuries include fractures, sprains and strains, osteoporosis, arthritis and cancers.