Victor Forge
Bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system. Bones provide support for our bodies, help form our shape, and protect our organs. Muscles help control our movements and some body systems, such as digestion. Bones are connected to other bones by ligaments, and muscles are connected to bones by tendons. Tendons are tough bands of dense connective tissue that firmly attach muscles to bones. Muscles move by contracting and then relaxing, pulling on tendons and moving bones closer to each other.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What connects muscle to bone | Tendons, cord-like fibrous connective tissue |
| What connects bone to bone | Ligaments, long fibrous straps |
| What are tendons | Tough bands of dense regular connective tissue with strong collagen fibres |
| What are ligaments | Fibrous connective tissue that holds structures together and stabilises them |
| What is cartilage | A flexible, rubbery substance in our joints that supports and protects bones |
| What is the musculoskeletal system | Bones, muscles, joints, cartilage, tendons and ligaments |
| What do muscles do | Control movements and some body systems, such as digestion |
| How do muscles move bones | Muscles contract and relax, pulling on tendons and moving bones closer together |
| How do joints work | Bones are connected by joints, which allow movement; synovial joints are the most common type, found in arms and legs |
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What You'll Learn
Bones and muscles work together to allow movement
Muscles help control our movements and some body systems, such as digestion. They move body parts by contracting and then relaxing. Muscles can pull bones but cannot push them back to their original position. So, they work in pairs of flexors and extensors. The flexor contracts to bend a limb at a joint. Then, when the movement is complete, the flexor relaxes and the extensor contracts to extend or straighten the limb at the same joint. For example, the biceps muscle, in the front of the upper arm, is a flexor, and the triceps, at the back of the upper arm, is an extensor. When you bend at your elbow, the biceps contract. Then the biceps relax, and the triceps contract to straighten the elbow.
Skeletal muscle is the only voluntary muscle tissue in the human body and is controlled consciously. Every physical action that a person consciously performs (e.g. speaking, walking, or writing) requires skeletal muscle. The function of skeletal muscle is to contract to move parts of the body closer to the bone that the muscle is attached to. Most skeletal muscles are attached to two bones across a joint through tendons or tough bands of dense regular connective tissue whose strong collagen fibres firmly attach muscles to bones. Tendons are under extreme stress when muscles pull on them, so they are very strong and are woven into the coverings of both muscles and bones.
Bones are connected to other bones by long, fibrous straps called ligaments. Cartilage, a flexible, rubbery substance in our joints, supports bones and protects them where they rub against each other. Joints connect the bones and allow them to move. There are three different types of joints: synovial joints, cartilaginous joints, and fibrous joints. Synovial joints are the most common type of joints and are found in your arms and legs. The ends of your bones are covered with cartilage and separated by the joint cavity, which is filled with a thick gel called synovial fluid. Synovial fluid helps to lubricate the cartilage and provides nourishment. Ligaments stretch across the joint, connecting one bone to another and help to stabilise the joint so it can only move in certain directions.
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Tendons and ligaments connect bones and muscles
The human body contains thousands of tendons, which are fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones all over the body. They are found from the head down to the toes. Tendons allow limbs to move and help prevent muscle injury by absorbing some of the impact when you run, jump or perform other movements.
The largest tendon in the body is the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Tendons are highly resistant to tearing but are not stretchy, so they can be easily injured when strained. Tendons work as levers to move bones as muscles contract and relax. For example, tendons in the foot can handle more than eight times the body weight.
Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues that attach bones to other bones, usually serving to hold structures together and keep them stable. They stretch across joints, connecting one bone to another, and help to stabilise the joint so it can only move in certain directions.
Both tendons and ligaments enable locomotion and transmit the mechanical forces that stabilise the skeleton and allow for body movement.
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Muscles can't push bones back to their original position
Bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system. Bones give our bodies shape, support, and protection, while muscles help control our movements and some body systems, such as digestion. Bones are connected to other bones by joints, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Joints are found in between bones and allow them to move. Cartilage is a flexible, rubbery substance that supports and protects bones in the joints. Tendons are cord-like tissues that attach muscles to bones, while ligaments are fibrous connective tissues that attach bones to other bones.
Muscles move body parts by contracting and then relaxing. They can pull bones, but they cannot push them back to their original position. Instead, muscles work in pairs of flexors and extensors. When a limb is bent at a joint, the flexor contracts, and when the movement is completed, the flexor relaxes and the extensor contracts to extend or straighten the limb at the same joint. For example, the biceps muscle in the front of the upper arm is a flexor, while the triceps at the back is an extensor. When you bend your elbow, the biceps contract, and then the triceps contract to straighten the elbow after the biceps relax.
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Bones provide support, shape, and protection for the body
Bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system, which supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement. Bones are fastened to other bones by long fibrous straps called ligaments. Bones provide support, shape, and protection for the body in the following ways:
Support
Bones provide support for our bodies and help form our shape. Although they are very light, bones are strong enough to support our entire weight. The skeletal system is our body's support structure. Bones are fastened to other bones by long fibrous straps called ligaments. Cartilage, a flexible, rubbery substance in our joints, supports bones and protects them where they rub against each other.
Shape
Our bones give our bodies shape, and support and protect our organs and systems. Bones contain three types of cells: osteoblasts, which make new bone and help repair damage; osteocytes, mature bone cells that help continue new bone formation; and osteoclasts, which break down bone and help to sculpt and shape it. Bones are made up of a framework of a protein called collagen, with a mineral called calcium phosphate that makes the framework hard and strong. Bones store calcium and release some into the bloodstream when it's needed by other parts of the body.
Protection
Bones also protect the body's organs. The skull protects the brain and forms the shape of the face. The spinal cord, a pathway for messages between the brain and the body, is protected by the backbone or spinal column. The ribs form a cage that shelters the heart and lungs, and the pelvis helps protect the bladder, part of the intestines, and in women, the reproductive organs. The human skeleton is like a built-in suit of armour for organs throughout the body.
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Muscle injuries can cause pain, weakness, or paralysis
The musculoskeletal system, composed of bones, muscles, and joints, gives our bodies structure and support, allowing us to move. Bones provide support and protection for our organs, while muscles help control our movements through contraction and relaxation. Bones and muscles are connected by tendons, which are fibrous connective tissues.
Muscle injuries can lead to pain, weakness, or paralysis, often caused by sports injuries or conditions affecting the muscles. Pain can arise from muscle cramps, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, or muscular dystrophies. Muscle weakness can be a potential precursor to paralysis, and it can be caused by nerve damage, muscle disorders, or medical conditions impacting muscle function.
To diagnose and treat muscle injuries effectively, a thorough examination by a healthcare professional is crucial. Doctors will consider medical history, symptoms, and risk factors, including injuries, infections, or toxin exposure. Physical exams evaluate muscle strength, tone, and overall physical condition, helping identify noticeable muscle weaknesses or abnormalities. Treatment options depend on the underlying condition and symptoms. Medications, such as corticosteroids or botulinum toxin, can reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. In more severe cases, surgical interventions like nerve decompression or tendon transfers may be recommended to address the underlying causes of muscle weakness or paralysis.
It is important to seek medical advice for muscle injuries, especially when experiencing symptoms like pain, weakness, or paralysis. Early detection and effective management are vital for optimizing recovery and quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
Bones, muscles, and joints make up the musculoskeletal system. Bones give our bodies shape and support, muscles help control our movements, and joints connect the bones and allow us to move.
Muscles move body parts by contracting and then relaxing. Muscles can pull bones but cannot push them back to their original position, so they work in pairs of flexors and extensors. For example, the bicep muscle is a flexor, and the tricep is an extensor.
Tendons are fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. They are tough bands of dense connective tissue with strong collagen fibres that firmly attach muscles to bones. Ligaments are also fibrous connective tissues, but they attach bones to other bones, helping to stabilise the joints.
Common muscle injuries include strains, where the muscle is over-stretched or contracted too quickly, leading to tears in the muscle fibres. Muscle cramps are another common issue, causing sudden and painful muscle contractions. Other conditions affecting the muscles include tendonitis, fibromyalgia, muscular dystrophies, and sarcopenia.
