Skeletal System

Question 1

What are the 2 divisions of the skeletal structure

Answer 1

Axial - skull and vertebral column
Appendicular - limb bones and girdle muscles

Question 2

What are the 5 types of bones? What do they do

Answer 2

1. Long bones (e.g. femur, humerus) - supports weight and enables movement
2. Short bones (e.g. ribs & clavicle) - provides stability and movement
3. Flat bones (e.g. sternum, cranium) - protects vital organs
4. Irregular bones (e.g vertebra, scapular) protects internal organs
5. Sesamoid bones (e.g. patella) - protects tendons from wear

Question 3

What are the functions of the skeletal system

Answer 3

Support - maintains body structure and supports soft tissues
Protection - shields organs
Attachment for muscles - enables movements at joints
Blood cell production - red marrow produces blood cells
Mineral storage - stores calcium and phosphates for body use

Question 4

What is cartilage & what does it do

Answer 4

Flexible connective tissue in joints, nose, ear and ribs
Reduces friction and acts as a cushion between bones

Question 5

What are ligaments and what do they do?

Answer 5

Elastic straps connecting bones at joints
They prevent overstretching and stabilise joints

Question 6

What are the 3 types of joints

Answer 6

1. Fibrous - fixed & have no movement (e.g. skull)
2. Cartilaginous joints - limited movement (e.g. pubic symphysis)
3. Synovial joints - freely moveable (the most common type)

Question 7

What are the 5 types of movements of the joints?

Answer 7

1. Flexion (decreasing angle between two bones
2. Extension - increasing the angle between 2 bones
3. Abduction - moving a limb away from the body
4. Adduction - bringing a limb back towards the body
5. Circumduction - rotating a limb in a circle

Question 8

What is a fracture

Answer 8

Broken bone caused by an accident or condition like osteoporosis
Open fractures might require surgery to prevent infections

Question 9

What is Osteoarthritis

Answer 9

Breakdown of cartilage, causing pain and reduced mobility
Often due to aging or repetitive strain on joints

Question 10

What is osteoporosis

Answer 10

Loss of bone density, making bones brittle and prone to fractures
Common in post menopause women or due to calcium or vitamin D deficiency

Question 11

What is rickets

Answer 11

Soft bones in children caused by vitamin D deficiency
Increasing due to limited sun exposure and dietary changes