Skeletal system
The skeletal system is made up of bone, connective tissues, and minerals. There are two types, compact bone which is hard and dense; and spongy bone which it gives you strength and support. Bones store bone marrow and are important for growth and development. This system involves connective tissue because it needs to connect bones together. Ligaments bind bones together. They help your body maintain a stable internal environment by providing your body with structural support. Bones also work very closely with muscles. (See the video below.) The skeletal system is one of the most important systems in our body, without it, we couldn't stand up or provide support for our bodies.
This is a schoolhouse rock music video. It teaches you about their function of providing structural support. It also shows you how some leg bones are connected.
"Rigid, the skeleton of habit alone upholds the human frame."~ Virginia Woolf "My mother has rheumatoid arthritis. I don't want to lose the ability to jump up and walk across the room or move around with the energy I'm used to having. That's far more important to me than a wrinkle or two."~ Cheryl Ladd |
This is an image of the major bones of the skeletal system.
Diseases:Arthritis – As we age, our joint tissues become less resilient to wear and tear and start to degenerate manifesting as swelling, pain, and oftentimes, loss of mobility of joints.
Osteoporosis – This is the bane of the elders, especially women. Bone is dependent upon calcium. When too much calcium is dissolved from bones or not enough replaced, bones lose density and are easily fractured. A collapse of bony vertebrae of the spinal column results in loss of height and stooped posture. Hip fractures are a common occurrence. Osteomalacia – This is when not enough calcium is deposited during early childhood development, the bones do not become hard, but rubbery. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – People whose job involves repeated flexing of their wrist may develop tingling and/or pain in their fingers, they could also experience a weakness grasping objects. Repetitive flexing movements may inflame and thicken the ligament over the “tunnel” through the carpal (wrist) bones trapping and compressing the nerve. Image one: This image is of arthritis. On the left, it shows a normal hand; whereas on the right, it shows an infected hand with arthritis.The infected hand is jagged and crooked, clearly making it harder to do things.
Image two: This shows osteoporosis, the healthy bone on the left has density, where as the diseased one on the right has too many holes making it easily breakable, fragile, and weak. Image three: This image shows osteomalacia. On the top pelvic bone it is normal and straight. On the contrary, the bottom pelvic bone is diseased and bends. It is not sturdy. Image four: This image shows carpal tunnel syndrome. It is showing inflamed ligaments making it harder to move. |