Skeletal System

Functions of the Skeleton

• Movement: muscles act on the bones

• Supports and protects vital organs

• Storage centers for vital minerals– Calcium

• Produce red blood cells– Bone marrow

Structure of the Skeleton

• Axial Skeleton – 80 bones– Skull, Spine, Ribs and sternum

Axial Skeleton in blue

Structure of the Skeleton

• Appendicular Skeleton – 126 bones– Shoulders, arms, hands, hips, legs and feet

Types of Bones

• Long bones: Arms and Legs (femur & humerus)– Shaft – diaphyses – End – epiphyses

• Form joints • Produce red blood cells, most of the white blood

cells, and platelets

Types of Bones

• Short Bones: wrist and hands (Metacarpals and Phalanges)– Mostly in the hands and feet

Types of Bones

• Flat Bones: Ribs and Skull– Thin and flat shape– Protect vital organs such as heart, lungs and

brain

Types of Bones

• Irregular Bones: Shaped irregularly (vertebrae)

Types of Vertebrae C1: Atlas

Holds the Head up

C2: Axis

Allows for rotation of the head

Kevin Everett Injury

• Dislocation between c3 and c4

• Cold therapy was used to reduce swelling

On the ride to the hospital, Cappuccino began cold therapy treatment. He had the ambulance air-conditioning set at the lowest temperature, as Everett received two liters (about two quarts) of ice-cold saline solution intravenously, and called the hospital to prepare a cooling blanket.

“There is no specific written protocol” for cold therapy, Cappuccino said. But he said the goal was to lower a patient’s body temperature to reduce inflammation and the destruction of cells in the spinal cord, which can lead to further damage.

NY TIMES

Cartilage

• Strong flexible connective tissue

– Where is cartilage found???• Ribs• Nose • Ears• Between vertebra • Knees• Basically any joints

Cartilage

• Functions:– Line surfaces of joints– Allow joints to move smoothly– Prevent bone on bone– Cushion joints especially vertebra

• New born skeleton is mostly cartilage– Ossification: Process by which bone is

formed, renewed and repaired

Ligaments

• Tough bands of fibrous, slightly elastic tissue that connect one bone to another.

• Prevent excessive movement of the joint

• Example: Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) attaches femur to the tibia

Tendons

• Fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone or muscle to muscle

• Allow the muscles to act on bones

• Example: Achilles tendon attaches the calcaneous

Joints

• Ball-and-socket: allows movement backward, forward, sideways, and in a circle.– Shoulder and hip

• Joint with the largest range of motion

Joints

• Pivot: Allows for rotation– Between the first two vertebrae – Allows for rotation of the neck and head

Joints

• Hinge: Bending and straightening in one direction– Knees– Fingers– Elbow

• Allow for some degree of rotation

Injuries of the Joints

• Dislocation:– Bone slips out of the joint– Usually accompanied by ligament or cartilage

damage – Needs to be fixed by a Doctor – Joint needs to be immobilized so tissue can

heal

Injuries of the Joints

• Torn Cartilage:– Sharp blow or severe twisting – Can be repaired with arthroscopic surgery

Injuries of the Joints

• Bunion: – Swelling of the bursa in the joint of a big toe– Caused by wearing shoes that are to tight – Might require surgery

Injuries of the Joints

• Arthritis: – Inflammation– Stiffness– Pain– Deformity of the joint

Rheumatoid arthritis

Problems of Skeletal system

Fractures

• Hairline:– Incomplete – Parts of the bone do not separate

Fractures

• Transverse: – Completely across the bone– Sharp or direct blow– Prolonged use of a damaged bone

Fractures

• Comminuted fracture:– Bone shatters– Usually more than two pieces

Osteoporosis

• Loss of bone mass

• Bone density decreases

• Bones break easily

• Women are more vulnerable to this after menopause – Stop producing estrogen

Scoliosis

• Lateral curvature of the spine

• Treatment: – Exercise– Brace – Surgery

Repetitive Motion Injury

• Damaged tissue caused by prolonged, repeated movements. – often job related– Carpal tunnel (weakness, tingling, burning)

Bones you need to know:

1. Clavicle

2. Scapula

3. Humerus

4. Pelvis

5. Femur

6. Radius

7. Ulna

8. Petella

9. Tibia

10. Fibula

11. Mandible

12. Phalanges