7.1: Introduction

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Rosanna Hartline
West Hills College Lemoore

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Introduction

The skeletal system consists of bones and cartilages in the body. Bones are complex organs made up of different types of bone cells, protein fibers, and minerals as well as different types of tissues. The skeletal system provides support and protection to the soft tissues that make up the rest of the body. The skeletal system also provides attachment for muscles to allow movements at the joints, it is a place where to store fat and precious minerals such as calcium and phosphorous. Another function of bones is to house the bone marrow that is involved in the production of the formed element of blood.

In the human body at birth, there are over 300 bones, but many of these bones fuse together during development, leaving a total of 206 separate bones in the adult, not counting numerous small sesamoid bones. The largest bone in the body is the femur or thigh-bone, and the smallest is the stapes in the middle ear.

Attribution

"Anatomy and Physiology I Lab" by Victoria Vidal is licensed under CC BY 4.0