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SUPPORT, MOVEMENT (LOCOMTION) & PROTECTION

The Human Skeleton


 It protects delicate organs & structures of the body;
Lungs – protected by the rib cage
Brain – protected by the skull
Vertebral column – protects the spinal cord

 Allows for free movement through the muscles across the joints
 Forms some blood components – Red blood cells & some white blood cells
 Acts as a framework that supports the soft tissues & thus give the body its shape
 Store & releases minerals from bone tissues
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PART OF SKELETON NUMBER OF BONES


Axial skeleton
Skull 29
Spine 26
Rib cage 25
Total 80
Appendicular skeleton
Pectoral girdle 4
Pelvis girdle 2
Arms 60
Legs 60
Total 126

The Main bones of the Forelimb of a Mammal

Joints Formed By the Bones of the Forelimb

Ball & socket joint

Scapula

humerus

The ball & socket joint allows movement in three planes. It is formed by the humerus & scapula at the shoulder.
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Hinge joint

Hinge joint at
the elbow

It allows movement in one plane and formed by the ulna & humerus

The surfaces of the heads of bones which move over each other are covered with cartilage – which is soft slippery & smooth thus
minimizing friction.
Each joint in the body is filled with synovial fluid. The synovial fluid lubricates the cartilage to ensure friction free movement. Refer to
the synovial join below

Ligaments are tough structures that hold bones of the joint together. It prevents dislocation of the bones during movement.

A tendon connects a bone to a muscle to ensure movement when the muscles contract & relax.
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Antagonistic Muscles of the Forearm


Muscles cause movement through contraction & relaxing. They cannot elongate. Most muscles work in pairs, one of them producing
the opposite movement of the other. Such muscle pairs are called Antagonistic muscles.

In case of the limb they may be called Flexor & Extensor muscles based on their effect on the limb. Flexor muscles bend the limb
while extensor muscles straighten the limb.
Example; the biceps muscle flex the arm at the elbow & antagonizes the triceps. The biceps serve both to rotate the lower arm &
flex the elbow. Biceps flex the arm only when the palm is facing upwards.

When the biceps contract to lift the arm up the triceps relaxes. When the triceps contract to straighten the arm the biceps relax. The
biceps which flex the arm is larger & more powerful than the triceps which extend it.

Addendum (additional info)


Other joints found in the Human Skeleton;

Fixed (fused / non-movable joints) in the skull Gliding joint – in the wrist allows for a smooth gliding movement
Do not permit any movement

Pivot joint – found between the base of the skull & the vertebrae
Allows for a rotational movement
Courtesy of Lebsy Mb
Contact 71726846

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