Task One

The Skeletal System

When looking at the skeleton, we normally look at it in the anatomical position. There are 206 bones in the adult human body. These are some of the main bones:


















                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

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There are 2 divisions that make up the skeletal system. These are the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton consists of the cranium, ribs, sternum and the vertebrae. The appendicular skeleton consists of the upper limbs (arms), lower limbs (legs), pectoral girdle and pelvic girdle.

In our everyday life, the skeleton has 5 purposes:

  • Protection: a rigid structure to protect vital organs on impact.

  • Support: a rigid structure which tissue attaches onto and keeps the body in shape and upright.

  • Cell production: bone marrow produces blood cells, mainly red blood cells.

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