Skeletal System Process

The Process of the Skeletal System The human body consists of around 300 bones at birth, but as the body grows, the bones shrivel up and decrease to 206 bones. Those 206 bones form the skeletal system. Each bone varies in shape and size. The skeletal system is much more than framework for the body. The skeletal system has many functions. The skeletal system is composed of dynamic living tissues and it interacts with all of the other organ systems. The skeletal system even remodels its self. The skeletal system is complex due to its many parts, shapes, and jobs. Bones of the skeletal system are the primary organ of that specific system. There are two types of bones; compact and spongy bone. Compact bone makes up eighty percent of the total …show more content…
The skeletal systems basic functions are support and protection, movement, hemopoiesis, and storage of minerals and energy. Bones naturally provide structural support for the body. Without bones the body would be a heaping pile of skin and organs. Without the bones, the body would remind someone of a pile of soup maybe. The bones protect soft tissues and organs in the body. Basically the bones act as a prison cell for the delicate areas of the body. Muscle attaches to bone, as well as the soft tissues and some organs too. Muscles contract which creates tension that pulls on the bone allowing it to move. If the contraction is powerful, the body will be enabled to have a dramatic movement such as running or jumping. If the contraction is weak, the body will be enabled to have a less dramatic movement such as lifting a finger. Every single movement in the body is enabled by the bones and muscles. Hemopoiesis is the process of producing blood cells. Hemopoiesis occurs in red bone marrow that contains stem cells which form the new blood cells and platelets. Bones store and reserve calcium and phosphate. Eventually, the bones release the calcium and the phosphate. Calcium is an essential mineral that plays a major role in functions such as muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve signal transmission. Phosphate allows the bone to utilize ATP. When the minerals are needed, the bone tissue is broken down and releases the minerals into …show more content…
Long bones which are greater in length than width, short bones which are equal in length and width, flat bones which are flat and thin, irregular bones which are unique and elaborately shaped, and sesamoid bones which are round. Long bones consist of a long shaft called the diaphysis. Inside of the diaphysis is the medullary cavity which becomes filled with red bone marrow and as the body ages the red marrow is replaced with yellow bone marrow. The ends of the bone are called epiphysis. The proximal epiphysis is the end towards the top of the bone. The distal epiphysis is the end at the bottom of the bone. Hylaline cartilage, or articicular cartilage, covers the joint surface and reduces friction from the joints. The metaphysis is the area in an older bone in between the diaphysis and the epiphysis. The metaphysis area contains the epiphyseal plate or the growth plate. Whenever the bone is done growing the plate turns into the epiphyseal line. The bones are covered by a tough layer called the periosteum. The inside of the bone is covered by an internal layer called the endosteum. The bones are highly vascularized due to the several arteries and nerves. This means the bones have a blood supply. If a bone was to break, it can heal due to the blood supply and the bones ability to