Skeletal+System

= Skeletal System =

Functions
There are more than 206 bones that support the body, most of these bones are in your hands and feet. The bones of the skeleton act like a frame to which muscles are attached. These skeletal muscles allow the body to move; they are attached to bones by bands of tough elastic tissue, called tendons, and it is by means of tendons that they exert their pull. Another important task of bones is to produce blood cells. Finally, the bones provide a store of chemicals such as calcium salts, which are released into the bloodstream, as they are needed. Bones have two main purposes. Some, like your backbone that provides structure which lets you to stand up straight. Other bones protect the organs of your body, such as the ribs which protect your heart.

Major Organs
There are many different types of body organs including your heart, kidneys, liver, and even your skin that are protected by your skeletal system. Your skeletal system also protects organs like your brains. It helps most organs because it protects them from damage and is a foundation to the body. The axial skeleton consists of bones that form the axis of the body and support and protect the organs of the head, neck, and trunk. It protects things like the skull, ribs, sternum, and vertebral column. There are two main divisions of the skeletal system the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton has the skull and ribs in it. The appendicular skeleton has the upper and lower extremities.

Different types of bones
Humans are made with bones specialized into four main types, each one of them with a different role. 1. The long bones: in the limbs, are thin, hollow and light, they play a big, important role in all types of movements. 2. Flat Circular bones: the bones that form the spine or vertebral column 3. Long Circular Bones: The ribs are strong but elastic and gives the chest the flexibility it needs for breathing. 4. Flat irregular bones:The shoulder blades, hips and skull are strong but light and protect the delicate organs such as the brain.

How it works
The bones in our body use oxygen and give off waste products, the bones contain active tissues that consume nutrients. Bones provide a firm frame known as the skeleton, this frame protects soft organs in our body. The way bones work are just like levers, they work with the muscles to produce body movement. When blood calcium levels decrease below normal, calcium releases from the bones so that there will be a good amount of supply for metabolic needs. When blood calcium levels are increased, the extra calcium is stored in the bone matrix. The dynamic process of releasing and storing calcium goes on almost continuously.

Joints
There are many types of joints in the skeletal system, the way these joints work are all very different. Here are some examples: the shoulder joint works like a ball and socket mechanism, elbow joint works like a hinge, carpometacarpal joint of the thumb works like a saddle, Wrist (radiocarpal) joint works like ellipsoid joint mechanism, median atlanto-axial joint is the joint in your neck, this is what lets you move you turn your head, the intercarpal joint is the joint in your wrist which allows you to move your wrists up and down. In the joints that let you move your hands and feet and more can get arthuritis. You get this if you crack your knuckles to much.

Connective Tissue
Connective tissue is one of the four types of tissue in traditional classifications (the others being epithelial, muscle, and nervous tissue.)

How it works with other systems (at least 3 different systems)
One of the systems that the Skeletal system works with is the Integumentary system. It works with the Integumentary system by giving the skin an object to form to. It also works with the muscular system because when the muscle needs to move it depends on a joint to move it.The calcified bones of your skeleton also work with the circulatory system. Marrow inside of your bones helps produce the cells inside of your blood.Red blood cells and white blood cells are created in your bones.

Disorders of the skeletal system
One of the most common types of disorders is called a fracture. A fracture is when the a bone has either cracked or broken. There 6 different types of fractures, closed, open, multiple, comminuted, greenstick, and spiral.

Other common disorders are Leukemia (a type of bone cancer), Osteoporosis (loss of bone tissue), and Arthritis (a swelling of the bone).

Some less frequent ones, yet still effective include Scoliosis, Talipes equinovarus, Tendinitis, Kyphosis, Poliomyelitis, Scurvy, Spina bifida, and Bursitis.

Facts
- The human hand has 27 bones; your face has 14!

-The longest bone in your body is your thigh bone, the femur ! It's about 1/4 of your height.

-The smallest bone in your body is the stirrup! The bone in the ear which can measure 1/10 of an inch.

-That humans and giraffes have the same amount of bones in their necks!

-You have over 230 movable and semi-movable joints in your body.