AQA GCSE Physical Education: Musculoskeletal & Cardio-Respiratory Systems

Cranium

Bone located in the head that protects the brain.

Vertebrae

Bones that make up the spine.

Scapula

Bone located in the shoulder.

Humerus

Bone located in the upper arm.

Ribs

Bones that form the rib cage.

Sternum

Bone located in the center of the chest.

Radius

Bone located in the forearm on the thumb side.

Ulna

Bone located in the forearm on the pinky side.

Pelvis

Bone structure at the base of the spine.

Femur

Bone located in the thigh, the longest bone in the body.

Tibia

Bone located in the lower leg, also known as the shinbone.

Fibula

Bone located in the lower leg, parallel to the tibia.

Talus

Bone located in the ankle.

Flat Bones

Bones that provide protection for vital organs.

Long Bones

Bones that enable gross movement.

Short Bones

Bones that enable finer controlled movements.

Synovial Membrane

Structure that lines the joint capsule and produces synovial fluid.

Synovial Fluid

Fluid that lubricates the joint.

Joint Capsule

Structure that encloses the joint.

Bursae

Fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction in joints.

Cartilage

Tissue that cushions joints.

Ligaments

Tissues that connect bones to other bones.

Hinge Joint

Type of joint that allows movement in one plane, such as the elbow and knee.

Ball and Socket Joint

Type of joint that allows movement in multiple directions, such as the hip and shoulder.

Flexion

Bending movement that decreases the angle between body parts.

Extension

Straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body.

Concentric Contraction

Muscle contraction where the muscle shortens.

Eccentric Contraction

Muscle contraction where the muscle lengthens.

Humerous

A bone in the upper arm that enables gross movements by working as a lever.

Tibia

A bone in the lower leg that enables gross movements by working as a lever.

Femur

The thigh bone, enabling gross movements by working as a lever.

Short Bones

Bones that are as wide as they are long, allowing finer controlled movements in sports.

Tarsals

Short bones located in the ankle.

Carpals

Short bones located in the wrist.

Flat Bones

Bones that usually protect organs or offer a broad surface for muscles to attach to.

Ribs

Flat bones that protect internal organs such as the heart and lungs.

Sternum

A flat bone that forms the center of the rib cage.

Scapula

A flat bone that connects the humerus with the clavicle.

Cranium

A flat bone that protects the brain.

Functions of the Skeleton

Support, production of blood cells, storage of minerals, protection of vital organs, structural shape and muscle attachment, formation of joints for movement.

Tendons

Connect muscles to bones.

Calcium and Phosphorus

Minerals stored in bones to keep them strong.

Platelets

Cells that clot blood when we are cut to stop the bleeding.

Red Blood Cells

Cells that carry oxygen delivered to the working muscles.

White Blood Cells

Cells that fight infection to keep us fit for physical activity.

Synovial Fluid

Lubricates and reduces friction in the joint, supplies nutrients, and removes waste products.

Synovial Membrane

Contains and releases synovial fluid.

Articular Cartilage

Prevents bones from rubbing and acts as a shock absorber.

Joint Capsule

Surrounds the synovial joint, protecting and stabilizing it.

Ligament

Joins bone to bone and helps stabilize the joint.

Bursae

Fluid-filled sacs that provide a cushion between tendons and bones, reducing friction.

Hinge Joint

Allows flexion and extension, found in the knee, elbow, and ankle.

Ball and Socket Joint

Allows multiple movements including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, and circumduction, found in the shoulder and hip.

Flexion

A bending movement that decreases the angle between body parts.

Extension

A straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts.

Abduction

The movement of a bone or limb away from the midline of a joint.

Adduction

The movement of a bone or limb towards the midline of a joint.

Plantar Flexion

Movement at the ankle joint that points the toes downwards.

Dorsi Flexion

Movement at the ankle joint that points the toes upwards.

Rotation

A rotational movement around a joint or axis.

Circumduction

The combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Circular motion

A type of motion where an object moves along a circular path.

Extension of the elbow

The straightening of the elbow joint.

Hinge joint

A joint that allows movement primarily in one plane.

Humerus, ulna and radius

The bones that form the elbow joint.

Abduction of the shoulder

Movement of the arm away from the body.

Ball & Socket joint

A joint that allows for rotational movement in multiple directions.

Plantar flexion of the ankle

Movement that points the toes downward.

Scapula and humerus

The bones that form the shoulder joint.

Tibia, fibula and talus

The bones that form the ankle joint.

Flexion of the knee

Bending of the knee joint.

Tibia and femur

The bones that form the knee joint.

Patella

The kneecap that sits in front of the knee joint.

Extension of the hip

Straightening of the hip joint.

Pelvis and femur

The bones that form the hip joint.

Flexion of the hip

Bending of the hip joint.

Muscles of the body

The tissues that enable movement.

Voluntary muscles

Muscles that are under conscious control.

Ligaments

Tough elastic fibrous tissue that joins bone to bone.

Tendons

Tough non-elastic fibrous tissue that attaches muscles to bones.

Deltoid muscle

Triangular muscle on the uppermost part of the arm that moves the upper arm in all directions from the shoulder.

Latissimus Dorsi

Back muscle that adducts and extends the arm at the shoulder.

Sporting Example for Deltoid

Serve in tennis, Front Crawl, Cricket Bowling.

Sporting Example for Latissimus Dorsi

Butterfly stroke, Pull ups, Rowing stroke.

Rotator Cuff

Muscles on the scapula in the shoulder that aid in the rotation of the shoulder.

Pectoralis Major

Muscle covering the chest that adducts the arm at the shoulder.

Abdominals

Muscles on the side of the abdomen that pull the chest downwards and assist in flexion and rotation at the spinal column.

Biceps

Muscle located at the front of the upper arm that allows for elbow flexion (bending).

Triceps

Muscle located at the back of the upper arm that allows for elbow extension (straightening).

Gluteus Maximus

Muscle forming the buttocks that adducts and extends the hips pulling the leg backwards.

Hip Flexors

Muscles at the front of the hip that flex the hip and move the hip upwards.

Quadriceps

Muscle located at the front of the upper leg that allows for knee extension (straightening).

Hamstrings

Muscle located at the back of the upper leg that allows for knee flexion (bending).

Gastrocnemius

Calf muscle attached by the Achilles tendon that allows for plantar flexion, pointing the toes.

Tibialis Anterior

Muscle that runs down the shin and allows for dorsi flexion, pulling the toes upwards.

Antagonistic Muscle Pairs

Muscles that work together to provide movement of the joints where one muscle contracts and the other relaxes.

Agonist

The muscle that contracts during a movement.

Antagonist

The muscle that relaxes during a movement.