Skeletal System
Skeletal System
The skeletal system or skeleton is the framework of bones that supports and shapes the
body.
An adult human body has 206 bones.
🦴 Parts of the Skeletal System
Bones
Joints
Ligaments
📌 Functions of the Skeletal System
Provides structural support to the body.
Gives shape to the body.
Protects internal organs like brain, heart and lungs.
Helps in movement with the help of muscles.
Produces blood cells in bone marrow.
Stores minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
🧠 Skull
Made up of 22 bones.
Cranium protects the brain (8 bones)
Facial bones form the face (14 bones).
Most bones are fixed except the lower jaw (Mandible), which helps in chewing and
speaking.
Mandible is connected to Maxilla (Upper jaw bone)
Backbone/Spine/Vertebral Column
Long, flexible bony structure.
Consists of 33 irregular shaped bones called vertebrae stacked one above the other.
Connected to the base of the skull
Protects the delicate spinal cord.
Helps in supporting the body, standing upright, and bending/twisting.
Ribcage
Made of 12 pairs of thin, curved bones called ribs attached to the spine at the back.
Forms a protective cage around the heart and lungs.
Sternum (breastbone), a long flat bone at the center of the chest holds the ribs together in
the front.
True ribs (first 7 pairs): Directly attached to sternum.
False ribs (next 3 pairs): Indirectly attached to the sternum through the 7th rib.
Floating ribs (last 2 pairs): Not attached to the sternum but only attached to the backbone.
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Limbs notes-Part 1
Pectoral Girdle (Shoulder Girdle)
Made of two shoulder blades (scapula) and two collar bones (clavicle).
Connects the arms to the main skeleton (axial skeleton).
Allows free movement of the arms and shoulders.
Upper Limbs /Fore limbs/Arms:
Humerus: Bone of the upper arm which fits into the shoulder girdle. It is also called funny
bone.
Radius and Ulna: Bones of the forearm (lower arm).
Carpals (wrist), Metacarpals (palm), and Phalanges (fingers).
Limbs notes-Part 2
Pelvic Girdle (Hip Girdle)
Made of hip bones.
Connects the legs to the spine.
Supports the weight of the upper body.
Protects organs like the bladder, intestines, and reproductive organs.
Lower Limbs/Hind limbs/Legs: femur: Longest and strongest bone; in the thigh.
Bones in the lower leg: Tibia (shin bone) and Fibula (calf bone)
Patella: The kneecap protects the knee joint.
Tarsals (ankle), Metatarsals (foot), and Phalanges (toes).
⚙️Joints
Joints are places where two or more bones meet.
Makes our body flexible and allows movement in different directions.
Types of joints:
o Movable joints
o Fixed joints/ Immovable joints – No movement (e.g., skull, tooth socket)
TYPES OF MOVABLE JOINTS
Name of Movement Location
joint
Ball and Maximum movement in Shoulder joint and hip joint
socket all directions
joint
Hinge joint Moves in one direction, Knees, elbows, fingers and toes
back and forth
Pivot joint Moves head upwards, Between the first and second vertebrae of the neck
downwards and region and head.
sideways
Gliding One bone glide over the Wrists, Ankles and inter vertebral joints (between
joint other the bones of the vertebral column except between
1st and 2nd vertebrae)
Other Key Terms
Cartilage: Strong, elastic, yellowish or white coloured tissue that cushions bones at
joints. Cartilage can bend and are found in ears, nose and other parts.
Ligaments: Strong tissues that connect bone to bone.
Bone marrow: Soft tissue inside bones that makes blood cells.
Muscles
Muscles are soft tissues that help in the movement of body parts.
The human body has over 600 muscles.
Muscles work by contracting (tightening) and relaxing (loosening).
Muscles are attached to bones by tissues called tendons.
They pull the bones to create movement; they cannot push.
🔁 How Muscles Work?
Muscles always work in pairs – while one muscle contracts, the other relaxes.
These pairs are called antagonistic muscles.
o Example: In the arm,
Biceps contract to lift the arm.
Triceps relax at the same time.
To straighten the arm, triceps contract and biceps relax.
Posture
Posture is the way we hold our body while sitting, standing, or moving.
A good posture keeps the body aligned and balanced.
It reduces strain on muscles and joints.
Helps prevent back pain, fatigue, and injury.
