What are the Five Primary Functions of the Skeletal System?

Catrease Taylor
Course Name
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xx February 2008
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The supporting structure of the body is the frameor! of "oined bones that e refer to as
the s!eleton# It enables us to stand erect$ to mo%e in our en%ironment$ to accomplish
extraordinary feats of artistic grace li!e ballet mo%es and athletic endea%ors li!e the high "ump$
as ell as normal physical endurance# The s!eletal system allos us to mo%e a pen and rite and
aids us in breathing# It is closely associated ith the muscular system that allos an organism to
mo%e#
The s!eletal system is supported by three ma"or components$ the bone$ cartilage$ and
ligament# &ones ma!e up the body$ in total there are 20' bones in the body# (espite the
appearance of the bones$ they are indeed composed of li%ing tissue# The hard$ )dead* stone+li!e
appearance of bones is due to mineral salts li!e calcium phosphate embedded in the inorganic
matrix of the bone tissue# Next cartilage co%ers the bones surface in "oints# ,astly ligaments are
"oints such as fixed$ hinge$ pi%ot$ sliding$ and ball+soc!et "oints# These are incubuses by the
tissue and organs made up of speciali-ed cells#
The functions of the s!eletal system fall into fi%e categories# First$ the s!eleton pro%ides
support and shape for the body# It forms a rigid frameor! to hich are attached the softer
tissues and organs of the body# The bones support the eight of the hole body# Cartilage shapes
structures such as the ear and the nose# The s!eleton pro%ides the body ith shape and forms a
frame under the s!in# The s!eleton helps to maintain upright posture# .oreo%er$ this body
system supports our body against the pull of gra%ity /.artinin et al$ 10001# The large bones
located at the loer limbs sustain the trun! hen standing#
2econd$ this body system pro%ides protection for the other internal body parts# &ones in
particular$ protect internal organs# The s!ull protects the brain$ the spine protects the spinal cord$
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the thorax shields the heart and lungs and the pel%ic girdle safeguards the reproducti%e organs#
3lso$ the sites for blood cell production are protected ithin the hollo centers of certain bones#
Third$ the s!eleton facilitates body mo%ement of an organism# The body is held in
position by muscles hich are attached to the bones# &ones are lin!ed at the "oints and muscles
allo them to mo%e#
Fourth$ the s!eletal system manufactures blood cells# This process that occurs chiefly in
red bone marro in the center of certain bones of the s!eleton is called hematopoiesis# The main
sites of blood cell production are the pel%ic girdle$ ribs$ sternum and the %ertebrae#
Fifth$ the s!eleton ser%es as the storage area for mineral salts$ especially phosphorus$
calcium$ and fats# The ma"or mineral that is accumulated in the s!eleton is calcium# The s!eleton
is constantly replacing itself# Calcium is then transported in the bloodstream to the sites of bone
groth or here replacement is needed /.artini et al$ 10001#
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&ibliography
.artini et al# /10001# The human body in health and disease# Ne 5ersey6 7rentice 8all#
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