
Bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system, which is the framework that holds the rest of the body in place. Bones give the body its shape and hold the organs in place. The skeleton and skeletal muscles work together to allow movement. Bones are connected by cartilage, and fibrous joints allow stability through strong fibrous connective tissue. Tendons, made of strong fibrous connective tissue, attach muscles to bones. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that join bones to other bones to strengthen joints.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bones in the adult human skeleton | 206 |
| Number of muscles in the human body | More than 600 |
| Types of cartilage in the human body | Elastic, Hyaline, Fibrous |
| Types of muscle in the human body | Skeletal, Smooth, Cardiac |
| Functions of the skeletal system | Support, Movement, Protection, Storage |
| Functions of bones | Give body shape, Hold body upright, Protect internal organs, Enable movement |
| Functions of muscles | Enable movement |
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What You'll Learn
- Bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system
- Bones give the body shape and hold the organs in place
- Bones are made of collagen and calcium phosphate
- Tendons are made of strong fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones
- Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that join bones to other bones

Bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system
Bones provide the framework for the body, holding it upright and giving it shape. They are made of collagen, a protein that forms a flexible framework, and calcium phosphate, a mineral that adds strength and hardness. Bone growth primarily occurs during childhood and adolescence, but bones are constantly remodelled, with old or damaged bone replaced by new, healthy bone tissue. Bones are connected to other bones by joints, which allow movement. There are two types of joints: fibrous joints, which allow no movement but provide stability, and movable joints, which enable various movements such as bending, rotating, or hinging.
Muscles are attached to bones by tendons, and they work together to facilitate movement. Skeletal muscles work in pairs, with one muscle contracting while the other lengthens. For example, when the bicep contracts, the tricep lengthens, and vice versa. Muscles also have important roles in other bodily functions, such as digestion, communication, and maintaining heart function and blood pressure.
The musculoskeletal system is susceptible to various conditions and injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, and osteoporosis. Orthopaedic trauma refers to injuries affecting the bones, joints, muscles, and associated tissues in the musculoskeletal system. Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and good habits like proper footwear and posture can help prevent injuries and maintain musculoskeletal health.
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Bones give the body shape and hold the organs in place
The human body is an intricate structure, and bones play a crucial role in giving it shape and supporting its various functions. The skeletal system, composed of bones, muscles, cartilage, and connective tissue, is often referred to as the musculoskeletal system. This system acts as the body's framework, providing stability and protection for our organs.
Bones are not merely inert structures; they are living tissues that undergo constant remodelling. This remodelling process involves the replacement of old or damaged bone tissue with new, healthy bone. Bones are made of collagen, a protein that forms a flexible framework, and calcium phosphate, a mineral that lends strength and hardness. This combination of collagen and calcium phosphate gives bones their unique properties of being both light and exceptionally strong.
The skeletal system has several important functions. Firstly, it gives our body shape. Our skeleton supports our body weight and serves as an anchor for all the connective tissues in our body. This includes muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which work together to facilitate movement.
Secondly, bones protect our organs. The skull, for instance, safeguards our brain, while the ribs act as a protective cage for our heart and lungs. The vertebrae in the spine provide crucial protection for the spinal cord, ensuring the safe transmission of messages between the brain and the body. Additionally, the pelvis helps shield the bladder and part of the intestines, with additional protection for reproductive organs in women.
Lastly, the skeletal system helps create new blood cells and stores essential minerals like calcium and vitamin D. Bone marrow, found inside certain bones, is responsible for producing red and white blood cells, which are vital for maintaining overall health. Thus, bones play a critical role in maintaining the body's homeostasis and ensuring the proper functioning of various organ systems.
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Bones are made of collagen and calcium phosphate
Bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system, which gives the body its shape and holds the organs in place. Bones are strong tissues that provide the body with shape, support, and protection. They are made of collagen and calcium phosphate. Collagen is a protein that forms a flexible framework for bones, while calcium phosphate is a mineral that makes them hard and strong.
Osteoid, which is comprised of type I collagen and non-collagenous proteins, makes up about 25% of calcified bone. The osteoid matrix contains a crystalline complex of calcium and phosphate called hydroxyapatite, which gives bone its hardness and rigidity. In addition to calcium and phosphate, bone minerals also contain significant amounts of carbonate, magnesium, sodium, and fluorine.
There are two types of bone identified according to the pattern of collagen forming the osteoid: woven bone and lamellar bone. Woven bone is characterized by a haphazard organization of collagen fibres and is mechanically weak. It is initially produced in all foetal bones but is replaced by stronger lamellar bone through remodelling and the deposition of more resilient bone tissue. Lamellar bone is characterized by a regular parallel alignment of collagen into sheets and is mechanically strong. In adults, woven bone is only formed during the rapid new bone formation that occurs when a fracture is repaired.
Biomineralization of bone tissue involves the nucleation and crystallization of calcium- and phosphorus-based inorganic materials combined with organic collagen molecules and fibrils. The highly complex process involves the coordinated action of ions and/or molecules to produce different organic and inorganic composite biomaterials. Research into bone tissue regeneration is ongoing, and materials have been developed and applied to patients. However, these materials support bone induction rather than directly affecting bone regeneration.
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Tendons are made of strong fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones
The skeletal system is the framework that holds the rest of the human body in place. It is the body's most important support structure, giving the body its shape and holding the organs in place. Bones, muscles, cartilage, and connective tissue like ligaments and tendons are all part of the skeletal system. Bones give people shape, hold the body upright, and protect internal organs from injury. They also help us move.
Tendons connect muscles to bones at two points: the musculotendinous junction (MTJ) and the osteotendinous junction (OTJ). The MTJ is the point where the tendon attaches to the muscle, while the OTJ is the point where the tendon attaches to the bone. The tendon of the hand and foot commonly slides through a connection called a reflection pulley that helps hold it in place. Tendons in the hand and foot also have a lubricating fluid called synovial fluid, which helps the tendon slide smoothly where it meets muscle and bone.
Small, fluid-filled pads called tendon bursae cushion tendons where they meet the bone. Tendon issues are more common with age, as tendons become thinner, have less blood flow, and accumulate microscopic damage to fibers that weaken the tendon. Disorders that affect the tendons include strains, tendonitis, tendinosis, and tears. Strains occur when a tendon is torn, twisted, or pulled, often in the arms and legs. Tendonitis results from inflammation of the tendons, usually due to repetitive activities, overuse, or aging. Tendinosis occurs when collagen in the tendons accumulates many torn fibers, weakening and deteriorating the tendon structure. Tears can occur in the middle of the tendon or at the point where the tendon attaches to the bone.
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Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that join bones to other bones
Bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system. This system gives the body its shape and holds the organs in place. It also includes connective tissue, such as ligaments and tendons, which help to keep the body stable.
Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues that attach bone to bone. They are tough bands of tissue that help to stabilize joints and hold bones together. They also play a role in holding organs in place, such as the uterus in a woman's pelvis, and connecting the liver, intestine, and stomach. The human body has over 900 ligaments, most of which are located in the arms and legs.
Ligaments are essential for maintaining joint stability and preventing bone dislocation. For example, the knee has four ligaments that restrict its movement side to side or backward. Similarly, ligaments stabilize the upper ankle joint, preventing excessive twisting or separation of the bones.
Ligaments can be injured through overstretching or tearing, resulting in a sprain. Sprains are common, especially in the ankle, knee, wrist, back, and neck. Proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent further complications and promote healing. This may include rest, ice, compression, elevation, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
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Frequently asked questions
The musculoskeletal system is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilage. Together, these tissues support the body, allow movement, protect internal organs and store minerals.
Bones and muscles work together to allow movement. There are over 600 muscles in the body, which make up 35-45% of the body's weight. Bones give the body its shape and support the weight of the body and its soft tissues. Bones also protect internal organs from injury.
Joints are where two or more bones meet to allow movement. Ligaments are fibrous bands of tissue that hold bones together at joints, increasing stability and flexibility.
A healthy, calcium-rich diet and regular physical activity can help prevent bone conditions such as osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercise and calcium from childhood can help reduce bone loss at menopause.











































