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Introduction |
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The act of changing place or position by the entire body or by one or more of its parts is called movement. Movement is one of the characteristic features of living organisms. Study of movements is called kinesiology. |
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Skeletal System |
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Skeletal system or the skeleton forms the bony framework of the body providing support and protection for some of the soft organs, particularly in the skull and pelvis; acting as levers in movements and providing surfaces for the attachment of the skeletal muscles. In certain parts the framework is supplemented by cartilage. |
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The Skull |
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The skull is the bony framework of the head, arranged in two parts-the cranium which has eight bones and facial skeleton having fourteen bones. |
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The Vertebral Column Or Spinal Column |
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Vertebral column is also called back bone or spine and encloses the spinal cord. It is a flexible,curved , vertical rod, and consists of a row of 33 movably articulated ring like bones called vertebrae. |
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The Thoracic Cage |
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The skeleton of the thorax is made up of bone and cartilage. The thorax is a cone-shaped cavity, broader below than above, and longer behind than in front. |
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Appendicular Skeleton |
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This consists of the girdles including both pectoral and pelvic girdles and the limb bones. |
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Limb Bones |
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The limbs in human beings are designed on the same basic plan, as that of the pentadactyl limb, because each limb ends in five digits. The limb bones support the arms (upper limbs) and legs (lower limbs). The bones of the legs are stronger than those of the arms. |
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Bone and Cartilage |
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The skeletal tissue is characterised by dense and mineralised matrix. These form the supporting framework of the body and also protect the vital organs of the body. |
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Joints |
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A joint or articulation is the term used to describe the union of any two or more, bones of the skeleton. The term arthrology is applied to the study of joints. There are three main classes of joints namely, fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial joints. |
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Movements |
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Movements of bones occur only at the joints. The movements are brought about by contractions of skeletal muscles inserted onto the articulating bones by firm cords of white fibrous tissue called tendons. Cords of yellow elastic tissue, termed ligaments, stabilise the joints by holding the articulating bones together. |
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Skeletal Disorders |
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Arthritis is a common disease of old age. It is characterised by pain and stiffness in the joints. There is no cure and only analgesics can be used. |
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Muscular Contraction |
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Muscle is composed of a large number of muscle fibres. The muscle fibres are arranged in groups. Each group is under the control of a single motor neuron, the axon of which sends a terminal branch to each fibre of the group. All the muscle fibres of a group contract when a nerve impulse travels down their motor neruon. A motor neuron and the group of muscle fibres innervated by its axon constitute a functional unit, called the motor unit. The number of muscle fibre and motor unit is variable and depends on the fineness of the control, a motor unit has to exercise. |
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Muscle Fatigue |
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The muscle fibres are excited and contracted in response to motor nerve impulse. The duration for which a muscle can remain contracted depends on its ability to supply ATP. |
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Summary |
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Movements and locomotion takes place as a result of co-operation between the muscle and skeletal system, hence the study of both is necessary. |
