The skeleton

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Lesson notes

Functions of the Skeleton

**Support**: provides a solid framework that maintains body shape.
**Protection**: shields vital organs, e.g., the ribcage protects the heart and lungs.
**Movement**: bones work with muscles; muscles attach to bones via **tendons** and pull on them to create movement at joints.
**Blood cell production**: **bone marrow** inside some bones produces red and white blood cells.
**Storage**: stores minerals like **calcium** and **phosphorus** for bone strength and release when needed.

Major Parts of the Skeleton

**Skull**: made of many fused bones; protects the brain and forms the face.
**Spine (Vertebral Column)**: 33 stacked **vertebrae**; supports body weight and protects the **spinal cord**.
**Ribcage**: 12 pairs of ribs; protects heart and lungs, supports upper body, aids breathing.
**Pelvis**: bowl-shaped; supports upper body weight and protects lower abdomen organs (bladder, intestines).
**Limbs**: arms (humerus, radius, ulna) and legs (femur, tibia, fibula); hands and feet have many small bones for range of movement.

Bones of the Arm

**Humerus**: upper arm bone.
**Radius**: outer forearm bone (thumb side).
**Ulna**: inner forearm bone (little finger side).

Bones of the Leg

**Femur**: thigh bone (longest bone in the body).
**Tibia**: shin bone (larger, weight-bearing).
**Fibula**: thinner lower leg bone (beside tibia).

Joints and Movement

**Joints** are where two bones meet, allowing movement.
Muscles contract and pull on bones via **tendons** to create movement.
Skeletal muscles work in **antagonistic pairs** (one contracts, the other relaxes).

Major bones of the human skeleton (anterior view).

Slides

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Practice questions

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1.How many bones does the human skeleton contain?
Easy
- A206
- B106
- C306
- D256
2.Which of the following is a function of the skeleton?
Easy
- AProtection of vital organs
- BDigestion of food
- CPumping blood
- DProducing hormones
3.What attaches muscles to bones?
Easy
- ATendons
- BLigaments
- CCartilage
- DJoints
4.Which of the following bones is found in the leg?
Easy
- AFemur
- BHumerus
- CRadius
- DUlna
5.What is produced in bone marrow?
Medium
- ARed and white blood cells
- BOnly red blood cells
- COnly white blood cells
- DPlatelets
6.How many pairs of ribs make up the ribcage?
Medium
- A12
- B10
- C14
- D24
7.What is the main function of the pelvis?
Medium
- ASupports the weight of the upper body and protects lower abdominal organs
- BProtects the brain
- CAllows movement of the legs
- DProduces blood cells
8.Which of the following is NOT a function of the skeleton?
Medium
- ADigestion of food
- BSupport
- CMovement
- DStorage of minerals

Revision notes

## The Skeleton - The human skeleton has **206 bones**. - **Five main functions**: 1. **Support** – provides a solid framework for body shape. 2. **Protection** – protects vital organs (e.g., ribcage protects heart and lungs). 3. **Movement** – bones work with muscles; muscles attach to bones via **tendons**; contraction pulls on bones to create movement at joints. 4. **Production of blood cells** – bone marrow produces red and white blood cells. 5. **Storage** – stores minerals like calcium and phosphorus for bone strength. ### Major Parts - **Skull** – many fused bones; protects brain and forms face. - **Spine (Vertebral Column)** – 33 vertebrae; supports body weight and protects spinal cord. - **Ribcage** – 12 pairs of ribs; protects heart and lungs; supports upper body; aids breathing. - **Pelvis** – bowl-shaped; supports upper body weight; protects lower abdomen organs (bladder, intestines). - **Limbs**: - **Arm bones**: humerus, radius, ulna. - **Leg bones**: femur, tibia, fibula. - Hands and feet have many small bones for wide range of movements.

Skeleton: The framework of bones supporting the body; has 206 bones in humans.
Bone marrow: Soft tissue inside some bones where red and white blood cells are produced.
Tendon: Tissue that attaches muscles to bones.
Vertebrae: The 33 bones that make up the spine (vertebral column).
Spinal cord: Bundle of nerves protected by the spine that sends messages between brain and body.
Ribcage: Structure of 12 pairs of ribs protecting the heart and lungs.
Pelvis: Bowl-shaped bone structure supporting upper body and protecting lower abdomen organs.
Humerus: Main bone in the upper arm.
Radius: One of the two main bones in the forearm (thumb side).
Ulna: One of the two main bones in the forearm (little finger side).
Femur: Main bone in the upper leg (thigh bone).
Tibia: Shin bone; one of the two main bones in the lower leg.
Fibula: Thin bone alongside the tibia in the lower leg.

Flashcards

How many bones are in the human skeleton?

The human skeleton has 206 bones.

What are the five main functions of the skeleton?

Support, protection, movement, production of blood cells, and storage of minerals.

Which organs does the ribcage protect?

The ribcage protects the heart and lungs.

What attaches muscles to bones?

Muscles are attached to bones by tendons.

Where are red and white blood cells produced?

Red and white blood cells are produced in bone marrow, a soft tissue inside some bones.

What minerals are stored in bones?

Bones store minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.

What does the skull protect?

The skull protects the brain and forms the structure of the face.

How many vertebrae make up the spine?

The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae.

What does the spine protect?

The spine protects the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that sends messages between the brain and the body.

How many pairs of ribs are in the ribcage?

The ribcage consists of 12 pairs of ribs.

What is the shape of the pelvis?

The pelvis is a bowl-shaped structure.

What organs does the pelvis protect?

The pelvis protects organs in the lower abdomen, such as the bladder and intestines.

Name the main bones in the arm.

The main bones in the arm are the humerus, radius, and ulna.

Name the main bones in the leg.

The main bones in the leg are the femur, tibia, and fibula.

How do muscles and bones work together to create movement?

Muscles contract and pull on bones via tendons, creating movement at the joints.

What is the function of the spine?

The spine supports the body's weight and protects the spinal cord.

What is the function of the pelvis?

The pelvis supports the weight of the upper body and protects organs in the lower abdomen.

What is the function of the ribcage?

The ribcage protects the heart and lungs, supports the upper body, and plays a role in breathing.

True or false: The femur is one of the main bones in the arm.

False. The femur is a main bone in the leg.

True or false: Bone marrow produces white and red blood cells.

True.

True or false: Muscles are attached to bones by tendons.

True.

What is bone marrow?

Bone marrow is a soft tissue inside some bones where blood cells are produced.

Why do bones store calcium and phosphorus?

These minerals are important for bone strength and can be released into the body when needed.

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