Skeletal System Physiology

By: Sciartia Windisch

Anatomy and Physiology 211-004W
Part I/2

Andrew, Warren. “Human Skeletal System.” Britannica,

www.britannica.com/science/human-skeletal-system.
 Zagobligna, Monika. “How to Draw a Skeleton.” Evantotuts, 25
July 2018, design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-draw-a-
skeleton--cms-31371.

Skeletal System Bone

Structure and Function
• The study of bones is called Osteology.

• The skeletal system includes more than just bones.

• Bones are more than framework, they are alive and primary organs.

• The system includes; bones, cartilage, ligaments and connective

tissues.

• The adult skeleton consists of 206 bones!

• Bones and Osteology are more complex than most individuals realize,
they are living and constantly changing and fusing. Many of the
primary structures of the system work together in order for this
system to work effectively. In addition a variety of other systems
allow for this system to function in amazing ways!
 “Types of Skeletal Systems.” Lumen Biology,
courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-
biology/chapter/types-of-skeletal-systems/.

Left- Appendicular Right-Axial

The Appendicular Skeleton V. Axial Skeleton

The skeletal system is divided into two divisions; axial and appendicular. The axial is composed of 80 bones, the skull, vertebral column and the thorax. The appendicular skeleton has 126 bones and consists of
the bones of the shoulder, upper extremities, hips and lower extremities. Bones of the upper extremities are connected to the axial skeleton by the shoulder bones such as the scapula and cavical. Bones of
the lower extremities are connected to the axial skeleton via the pelvic girdle or the two hip bones. This primarily protects organs within the lower gastrointestinal system. Bones differ within the hip bones
depending if you are male or female, males have a lower than 90 degree angle between the hip bones where areas females have a greater than 90 degree angle. This is necessary for child birth.
 The cranium is the bones of the head.

Basic structures in the The bones of the shoulder include

the scapula and cavical. The sternum
is the dagger looking flat bone in the
middle of the ribs. The Humorous is

Skeletal System the large proximal bone of the arm

connected to the radius and ulna or
the two lower arm bones. These are
• Cranium • Pelvis then connected to the carpal and
then the phalanges. The sacrum

• Cavical • Femur refers to the end of the spine the

pelvis is the outer parts of the hip
• Patella bone. The femur is then connected to
• Scapula the pelvis and the knee bone or
• Fibula patella. Going down we have the tibia
and fibula and the tarsals and
• Sternum • Tibia phalanges again.

• Humorous • Tarsals
• Radius
• Ulna
• Ribs
• Carpals
• Phalanges
• Sacrum Chukhlyebova , Valentyna. “3D Digital Render of a Human Skeleton in a Oi-Zukii Gari
Martial Arts Position Isolated on White Background - Image ID: EA4FYE.” Alamy, “Types of Skeletal Systems.” Lumen Biology,
www.alamy.com/stock-photo-3d-digital-render-of-a-human-skeleton-in-a-oi-zukii- courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/types-of-
gari-martial-arts-75088370.html. skeletal-systems/.
 Compact V. Spongy
Bone

• Compact Bone is dense, it is

often more rigid and appears
white, smooth and solid.
• Spongy Bone is cancellous
and internally compacted.
When mature, it is avascular!
• Compact bones are 80% of
the bodies makeup where
areas, spongy bone only
makes up 20%! So compact
bones are the primary type of
bones within the human
body! Spongy bone, due to it
being avascular which means
lacking a blood supply, it
tends to look more porous. BIDMC. Fun Facts About Bones and Joints. 1 Aug. 2018, www.bidmc.org/about-
bidmc/blogs/wellness-insight-landing/bones-and-joints/2018/08/fun-facts-about-bones-
and-joints. Accessed 2 Nov. 2018.
Types of bones and
examples
• Long Bones- Greater in length than width as given by the
name, they are the most common bone shape within the
body.
• Short Bones- When looking at these bones, it is important to
note that the length is nearly equal to the entire width of the
bone.
• Flat Bones-They are very thin and protect the underlying
tissue.
• Irregular Bones-These bones are complex and do not fit into
any of the
• As you can see from the image, there are a variety of bones
within the body however there is a classification system this
allows Osteologists to understand the basic functions of
whatever bone they pick up. Some examples of long bones
include; Humor and Femur. Short bones examples include;
Carpals and Tarsals. Flat Bones include the sternum, skull and
the ilium of the pelvis. Finally Irregular bone examples is the
spine, it has a total of 33 irregular bones!
Howtown, Elizebeth. Overview. 24 Sept. 2018,
www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/overview. Accessed 6 Nov. 2018.
 Anatomy of a Long
The structure of a long bone is actually quite
Bone
simple. In the example of a femur to the left,
there are some primary structures that are
important to note; In this example of the femur, it is important to
➢ Articular Cartilage identify the structures of the bones. The Diaphysis
➢ Red Bone Marrow is the medial shaft of the bone. The ends of the
➢ Epiphyseal Lines bone are the distal and proximal diaphysis, the end
➢ Medullary Cavity of each of those are covered with articular cartilage
➢ Yellow Bone Marrow that are usually composed of hyaline cartilage.
➢ Periosteum These allow for bones to move with no friction! It is
➢ Perforating Fibers very important that bones can move around with
➢ Site of Endosteum other bones and systems and the articular cartilage
➢ Compact Bone allows that! Epiphyseal lines are just calcified
➢ Spongy Bone junctions within a bone! The medullary cavity is
➢ Proximal Epiphysis just a depression within the bone that is hollow.
➢ Diaphysis Red bone marrow is the bones way of generating
➢ Distal Epiphysis blood cells and yellow produces fat cartilage. I think
it is also important to note that in the picture you
can see a nutrient artery, this carries and provides
“Anatomy of a Long Bone.” Wikipedia, nutrients for the bones via blood arteries.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_bone.
Bones on the
cellular
• Osteoblasts-
level!
• Osteocytes-
• Osteoclasts-
• Osteons-
The osteoblasts are important, they are a cell
within the bodies bones that secrete the matrix
for all of the bones formations. This leads to
calcification which is the bodies process of
mineralization that required both vitamins D
and C along with calcium and phosphate.
Osteocytes are mature bone cells that are
taken from osteoblasts but have somewhere
along the line lost the ability to make new
bone formations, they can detect mechanical
stress. “Microscopic Image of a Bone.” Clip Art,
Osteoclasts are phagocytic cells that come etc.usf.edu/clipart/50700/50764/50764_micro.htm.
from fused bone marrow cells.
Finally, osteons are the basic structures of
compact bone marrow.
 Zone of ossification
“Microscopic Image of a Bone.” Clip Art,
etc.usf.edu/clipart/50700/50764/50764_micro

A micrograph of a
.htm.

Epiphyseal Plate
Zone of calcification
The zone of ossification is the
above the diaphysis and
contains calcified osteoblasts.
The zone of calcification is
where chondrocytes begin to
Zone of hypertrophy
die and harden from salt
and maturation
deposits.
The zone of hypertrophy
divides the chondrocytes and
enlarges the lacunae.
The zone of proliferation just
divides the chondrocytes.
Zone of proliferation The final zone is the zone of
reserve cartilage and this zone
is closest to the epiphysis and
Zone of reserve contains reserve chondrocytes.
cartilage
 “Synovial Joints .” Wikipedia,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synovial_joint.

Cartilage, Joints and

Articulations!

There are a variety of different types of joints that all

work together to fuse bones. As a child you will have
more bones than you would an adult, 306 to be exact.
This is because in early life bones are not fully
calcified and still need to be fused together to make
the adult bones. “Some infant bones are made
entirely of soft, flexible tissue called cartilage that’s
slowly replaced by hard bone as the baby develops.”
(KidsHealth.org). Cartilaginous joints include
symphyses, and synchondroses. Fibrous Joints include
sutures; found on the skull, syndromes, and
gomphoses. Synovial joints include a large number of
joints including plane joints, condyloid, saddle, hinge,
pivot and ball-and-socket. The main difference in
these three types of joints is the movements that “A coating of another fibrous
they can preform, fibrous do not move, cartilaginous ❑ Fibrous Joints (Immobile) tissue called cartilage covers the
are slightly mobile and synovial have a large variety of
❑ Cartilaginous (slightly mobile) bone surface and keeps the bones
movements.
from rubbing directly against each
❑ Synovial (freely mobile)
other.” (Harvard Medical School)
Synovial Joints “Synovial joints are movable joints. They make up
most of the joints in the body and are located
mostly in the limbs, where mobility is critical.
They contain synovial fluid, which helps them to
move freely.” (Harvard Medical School). Synovial
joints have a variety of functions and
movements. Plane Joints slide back and fourth
and left to right, they are found in the
intercarpal. Condyloid joints rotate, they are
found in the metacarpophalangeal joints. Saddle
joints allow for left to right rotations and are
found in the carpometacarpal joints. A hinge
joint moves back and fourth and is found at the
elbow joint. The pivot joint is like a bar with a
wrap over it to keep it from falling out and this
can rotate around the bar, these are found in the
proximal radioulnar joint. Finally, the ball-and-
socket joint is the most freely movable joint and
can spin around like a normal ball. This is the
most mobile of the synovial joints.
“Synovial Joints .” Wikipedia,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synovial_joint.
Citations (Images under them)
• B. (2018, August 01). Fun Facts About Bones and Joints. Retrieved November 2, 2018, from
https://www.bidmc.org/about-bidmc/blogs/wellness-insight-landing/bones-and-joints/2018/08/fun-facts-
about-bones-and-joints
• Health Care Policy | Harvard Medical School. (2018, October 01). Retrieved December 5, 2018, from
https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/
• White, T. D., & Folkens, P. A. (n.d.). Osteology. Retrieved December 5, 2018, from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/osteology
• Ammerman, E. C. (2017). Exploring Anatomy and Physiology in the Laboratory (Third ed.).