Your skeletal system is comprised of all the bones, ligaments, cartilage and tendons in the body. There are 206 bones in the average human adult. Babies are born with more than 300 bones but as they grow older their bones fuse together and by the time they reach 9 years old their bones will have stopped fusing. Your skeletal system has four main functions; support, movement, protection and blood cell production. Without a skeletal your body would not be able to stand, sit or walk. Bones are very light but they are extremely strong, strong enough to support and protect our entire bodies. Your skeletal system allows movement of your body. Your skeletal system also produces red and white blood cells inside the bone marrow.
4 different types of bone
The skeleton is made of two parts. The axial skeleton helps maintains our upright posture. It consists of 80 bones including the rib cage, vertebrate and skull. It is the vital part of the skeleton. The appendicular skeleton is formed for movement and to protect vital organs. It is made up of 126 bones including bones in the arms and legs.
Bones are made up of two types of bone tissues. The compact bone is the solid, outside part of the bone which makes up the majority of the human skeleton. It is extremely strong and has nerves running through it carrying blood vessels. The cancellous bone is the spongy part inside the compact bone. It’s made up of a network of tiny pieces of bone. This is where red and white blood cells are formed in the marrow.
4 different types of bone
- Long- eg. Femur
- Short- eg. Tarsals or carpals
- Flat- eg. Cranium
- Irregular- eg. Pelvis or vertebrate
The skeleton is made of two parts. The axial skeleton helps maintains our upright posture. It consists of 80 bones including the rib cage, vertebrate and skull. It is the vital part of the skeleton. The appendicular skeleton is formed for movement and to protect vital organs. It is made up of 126 bones including bones in the arms and legs.
Bones are made up of two types of bone tissues. The compact bone is the solid, outside part of the bone which makes up the majority of the human skeleton. It is extremely strong and has nerves running through it carrying blood vessels. The cancellous bone is the spongy part inside the compact bone. It’s made up of a network of tiny pieces of bone. This is where red and white blood cells are formed in the marrow.
Fun facts about the Skeletal System
- Ever wonder why the end of your nose and ears can be bent? This is because their made of cartilage or 'gristle', which is lighter and more flexible than bone.
- The longest bone is the 'femur', in the thigh. It makes up almost one quarter of the body's total height.
- The smallest bone is the 'stirrup', deep in the ear. It is hardly larger than a grain of rice.
- The hyoid bone, in your throat, is the only bone in the body not attached to any other bone.
- When born, babies have more than 300 bones but as they grow small bones fuse together and adults only have 206 bones.