Download The Skeleton

The Skeleton
An Introduction
Human Skeleton
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The human skeletal
system is made up of
300 bones when we
are born.
The young bones will
mature and fuse
together as we age.
We have 206 bones at
adulthood.
Parts of the Skeleton
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The different bones making up the system are
classified into groups.
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Short bones: which strengthen the skeleton
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Long bones: which make up our limbs
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Flat bones: which provide protection and allow for muscle
to attach easily
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Sesamoid bones: which is a bone embedded within a tendon
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Irregular bones: which don't fit into the previous three categories
Function
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The function of the skeleton is to allow a sturdy frame to
support the body.
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It acts as protection for sensitive and important organs.
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Without a skeleton the body would be a blob.
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The skeleton also allows locomotion.
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The muscles of the body use bones to propel limbs in different
ways.
Without the bones and muscles working together a human would
have a difficult time trying to get around.
Parts of the Skeleton
Protection
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The skeleton protects many important organs:
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The skull protects the brain, the eyes, and the middle
and inner ears.
The vertebrae protect the spinal cord.
The rib cage, spine, and sternum protect the lungs, heart
and major blood vessels.
The clavicle and scapula protect the shoulder.
The pelvis and spine protect the digestive system.
The patella and the ulna protect the knee and the elbow.
The carpals and tarsals protect the wrist and ankle.
The Skull
The Skull
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The adult skull is normally made up of 22 bones.
Except for the mandible, all of the bones of the
skull are joined together by sutures.
Normal Skull
(infant)
Normal Shoulder Joint
(adult):
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scapula
coracoid
humerus
acromion
Normal Shoulder Joint
adult
child
Fractured Humerus (adult)
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Surgical fixation of
fractured humerus
using plate and screws
Spine
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Normal cervical spine; composite lateral and
anterior-posterior views
Spine
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Scoliosis of the
thoracic spine
(adolescent).
This much curve is
usually treated with
surgery.
Elbow and Forearm
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Normal elbow (adult); lateral view
Normal elbow (adult)
Fractured Forearm
Wrist and Hand
Normal Wrist Joint and
Hand
Foreign Body in Soft Tissues
Resources
Access Excellence: The National Health
Museum Resource Center
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skeleton
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