Skeletal system is made of bones and connecting tissues like ligaments, cartilages and tendons. An infant has 270 bones during birth and some of the bones join together as he grows. An adult human body is made of 206 bones in total which gives support to the body and helps in flexible movement. Living beings equipped with internal skeletons or backbone are called vertebrates. The skeletal system of a man and woman are more or less the same except for small changes in the reproductive system. The pelvic region of a female is larger and more rounded in shape than of a man.
Anatomy of a Bone :
A bone has a tough outer layer and a spongy inner layer which is flexible. Bones also contain jelly like substance called bone marrow which is responsible for the producing new blood cells. The skeletal system is made of two parts namely the axial and appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column and the rib cage. The appendicular skelton contains 126 bones which includes upper and lower limbs, pelvic region and the pectoral girdle. Teeth also forms part of skeletal system and are made of enamel and dentin.
Functions of Bone :
Bone performs several vital functions of the body including giving support and protection to the body. It is the skeletal system that binds the body together by offering biggest support. Without bones our body is just a bundle of skin and guts. Skeletal system offers protection to the internal organs of the body. Vital organs like heart, lungs, eyes and brain are protected by the skeleton. Your brain and eyes are well protected and kept inside the skull (cranium) and it is the ribs that enclose your heart and lungs and backbone offers total protection for the spine. Bones also helps in giving flexible movement for the muscles and in this respect tendons are to be given credit.
Diagnosis of Bone Related Diseases :
Based on the symptoms, your doctor would request for imaging tests like X-ray, CT or MRI and bone density tests. In case of suspicion of bone cancer, bone marrow biopsy is done and tested in the lab.
Diseases :
Diseases of skeletal system can be broadly divided into 3 major sections.
- Based on fractures
- Based on postural deformity
- Based on skeletal conditions like diseases
- Based on Fractures :
A broken bone is known as fracture which can be either complete fracture or partial fracture. Fractures can be of various types like simple fracture, greenstick fracture (incomplete broken bone), compound fracture (in which the bone would pierce the skin outside), comminuted fracture (bone breaks into two or more pieces), impacted fracture (two bones fuse with one another) and complicated fracture (in which broken bone can cause considerable damage to internal organs).
- Based On Postural Deformity :
Bones may be badly damaged either by birth or by disorder causing significant difference in normal shape of the body. Kyphosis is one of the kind of deformity in which the spine would curve outside in excess causing hunching back. Lordosis is a condition in which the spine is curved inward which normally occurs in cervical spine and lumbar spine. This condition can be caused due to faulty sitting posture or by disease. Scoliosis is marked by sideways curvature of the spine which is often present by birth or sometimes due to acquired abnormality in the muscles or nerves.
- Based On Certain Skeletal Conditions :
In this type bone is either partially or completely damaged due to diseases and disorders like arthritis, osteoporosis, and gout and bone cancer.
Arthritis :
Arthritis can be described as swelling of joints that reduces flexibility in movement. This may involve more than one joint and it causes redness and intense pain on the affected area. Arthritis can be of many types affecting one part or many parts of the body.
Osteoarthritis :
In this type the underlying cartilages and joints of the bone would suffer from wear and tear leading to changes of the inner bone structure. This can develop due to trauma, injury and obesity which would exert high pressure on the joint causing inflammation. The joints surrounding the bone become rigid causing restricted movement. Overweight people are likely to develop osteoarthritis early particularly on the knee bones and hip bones.