Function of Skeletal system

function of skeletal system

Skeletal system is one of the most important biological systems in human body. Without skeletal system, other systems in human body cannot work properly. Skeletal system of a human body are includes total numbers of 206 different types of bones and the joints which attached to each other. Bones of human body are actually alive. There are nerves and blood vessels inside the bones. Bones are made up of compact bones which are hard and tough and the spongy bones which are lighter and slightly flexible. The structure of spongy bones is similar as the honeycomb. Inside the spongy bones there are empty spaces which consist of bone marrow. 

There are four basic types of bones in human body such as long bones, short bones, flat bones and irregular bones.“Long bones have greater length than width and consist of a shaft and a variable number of ends.” (Tortora, G.J., and Derrickson, B., 2010). The examples of long bones are the humerus and femur which located in our hands and legs. Short bones are the bone that shorter in length and nearly equal in length and width. There are normally cube in shaped. Wrist and ankle bones are the example of short bones. “Flat bones are generally thin, afford considerable protection, and provide extensive surfaces for muscle attachment.” (Tortora, G.J., and Derrickson, B., 2010). The examples of flat bones are cranial bones of human brain, sternum and scapulae. Irregular bones are mostly refers to the vertebrae and some facial bones of human. They are irregular in shaped and cannot be categorized under the previous categories. 

The skeletal system and the bone tissues perform several functions in human body such as supporting, protection, movement, minerals storage, homeostasis and blood cells production. “The skeleton provides a structural framework for the body by supporting soft tissues and providing points of attachment for the tendons of most skeletal muscles.” (Tortora, G.J., and Derrickson, B., 2010). Human able to stands upright with the supporting function of the skeletal system. Skeletal system is very important because it help human to protect their important inner organs such as brain, heart, stomach and many more. Without the protection of skeleton, even a simple bump on the head and the chest of human could injure vital internal organs. Skeleton also provide the movement of human. The skeletal muscle that attached to the skeleton helps to pull on the bones when they are contracted and this action provide movement for human. Bones of skeletal system are the important places for the mineral storage. Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are usually stored in the bone tissues. Because of the storage of minerals, bone tissues release minerals to the blood circulation when needed to maintain the mineral balances (homeostasis). Last but not least, skeletal system is also important in the blood cells formation in human body. Red bone marrow that located within the spongy bones plays an important role in the production and formation of blood cells such as red blood cells that help in transporting oxygen and nutrients, white blood cells that function in immune system and the platelets that help in blood clotting by the process of hemopoiesis. Without the bone marrow in the skeletal system, human body cannot produce blood cells that important in various functions and systems. Besides the red bone marrow, there are also yellow bone marrows that consist mainly of adipose cells that store triglycerides within the spongy bones.