Lesson 3: Skeletal System
Learning goal: Describe the components and function of the skeletal system
Success Criteria:
1. Outline the function of the skeletal system
2. Name all the major bones of the human body
3. Outline the role of each of the types of bones
Do Now: Predict what you think the role of the skeleton is in our bodies?
Provide structure, movement and protection,
blood cells production and storage.
Function of the Skeletal System
• Bones connect at joints so our body can move
• Muscles attached to bones, pulling bones (and body
Movement parts) so that they move
• Allows us to stand and for bipedal locomotion
(movement using two legs), e.g. feet, legs, spine, head all
Support designed to support our body weight standing
• Protection of body organs, e.g. skull and brain, ribs and
lungs
Protection
• Production of bone morrow / red and white blood cells
Production
• Storage of minerals, especially calcium (which helps
strengthen bones and teeth)
Storage
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Bones of the Human Skeleton
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Carpal Bones
Components of the human skeleton
Activity 1: Cloze Passage
Word bank
sternum appendicular calcaneus spinal cranium
ribs Lumbar (5 metatarsals 24 coccyx
vertebrae)
206 pelvis radius Cervical (7 (5 vertebrae)
vertebrae)
sacrum tibia phalanges humerus (4 vertebrae)
axial ossicles
The adult human body consists of 206 bones – 200 bones plus 6 auditory ossicles . The axial
skeleton forms the long axis of the body and includes the following bones: cranium , vertebrae,
sternumand ribs .
The appendicular
skeleton includes the bones of the limbs that are appended (added or joined) to
the axial skeleton. These bones include pelvis , femur, tibia , fibula, calcaneus
, tarsals,
radius , ulna, metatarsals
, scapula, humerus, carpals, metacarpals and phalanges
in the hands and
feet.
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The vertebral column protects the spinal cord and consists of 24 vertebrae in three
sections: cervical , Thoracic (12 vertebrae) and lumbar . The vertebrae in the sacrum and coccyx
are fused together.
Do you think babies have the same number of bones and structures as adults?
No they do not as they need to grow these bones,
hence why they feed on milk for calcium very often.
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Types of bones
Almost all bones of the human body can be categorised into one of four types based on their
shape: long, short, flat and irregular.
Long Bones:
Long bones have a long shaft that houses a
cavity that contains bone marrow, responsible
for creating blood cells. Long bones are
commonly found in the arms and legs and are
curved shaped to absorb shock and distribute
pressure. Due to their location, they are
responsible for much of the body’s movement
and therefore, each end of the bone is covered
with a layer of cartilage (strong, flexible
connective tissue) to reduce friction (rubbing)
at the joints.
Name 5 Long Bones:
Femur, humerus, fibula, tibia, radius, metatarsals, metacarpals, phalanges, clavicle
Short Bones:
Short bones are often cube shaped and are
found in the wrists and ankles. They are
specifically shaped to transfer forces from the
hands and feet to the long bones of the arms
and legs respectively, without causing damage
to the hands and feet.
Name 2 Short Bones:
Carpals, Tarsals
Flat Bones:
Flat bones appear to be flattened out, as they
are not as thick as they are wide or long. Their
main role is to protect organs and provide a
place of attachment for muscles.
Name 3 Flat Bones:
Skull, ribs, sternum, scapula, cranial bones
Irregular Bones:
Irregular bones are those that do not fit into
any other category. They are unusually shaped
to fit a variety of positions and protect internal
organs.
Name 3 Irregular Bones:
Coccyx, sacrum, mandible, ethmoid, vertebrae, mandible, pelvic girdle
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Types of bones (continued)
There are two more types of bones classified by location, not shape: sutural and
sesamoid.
Sutural bones:
Sutural bones include some of the small bones
that are located between some of the bigger
bones of the cranium (skull).
Sesamoid Bone:
Sesamoid bones are small bones embedded in
tendons where pressure develops.
Name the only type of Sesamoid Bone:
Patella
Explore the Skeleton Anatomy Viewer at your own pace and then test your knowledge by playing the
quiz:
[Link]
Lesson Revision
Revise your work by memorising all the bones of the body.
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