Anatomy Body Mechanics

Functions of the skeleton

The human skeleton is surrounded by soft tissues of the body and is a living structure capable of regeneration, growth and adaptation. The skeleton is made up of over 200 bones (joints, cartilages and ligaments). A major function of the skeleton is to provide shape and support to the body. The bones provide movement, and the shapes of bones where they join can determine the type of movement allowed at the joint. The skeleton protects organs by forming protective walls and cavities. The bones are a source of supply of blood cells and store minerals.

support
protection of body parts
movement
source of blood cell formation
mineral storage

Types of Bones

Long bones are a shaft with two ends wider than the middle. It has an elongated shape but not size; it consists of all limbs except the patella, wrist, and ankle.

Short bones are roughly cuboid-shaped, like the wrist and ankle.

Flat bones are thin and have a flattened surface that is usually curved. Includes scapula, sternum, ribs, and bones in the skull and shoulder.

Irregular bones have weird shapes and include the vertebrae, hip bones and 2 skull bones.

Inside a Bone

Bones are made of:

periosteum - thin, dense membrane that contains nerves and blood vessels
compact bone - smooth, very hard and part you see on a skeleton
cancellous - looks like a sponge, not as hard but very strong
bone marrow - thick jelly to make blood cells, innermost part

Name of Bone	Location
Cranium	Skull
Mandible	Jaw
Clavicle	Collar bone
Humerus	upper arm
Radius	forearm, thumb to elbow
Ulna	forearm, little finger to elbow
Ribs	surround chest
Sternum	breast bone
Pelvis	hips
Femur	long bone upper thigh
Tibia	lower leg, shin bone
Fibula	lower leg, run down the outside
Coccyx	base of spine, tailbone
Sacrum	above coccyx, lower back
Carpals	small bones in wrist
Tarsals	bones in ankle
Vertebrae	base of skull to sacrum
Metacarpals	palm of hand
Metatarsals	bone is feet, ankle to toes
Phalanges	Small bones in fingers and toes
Scapula	Shoulder blade
Patella	Kneecap

Anatomical Terms

Anatomical Term	Definition
Superior	closer to head
Inferior	closer to feet
Anterior	towards the front of the body
Posterior	towards the back of the body
Medial	towards the midline
Lateral	away from midline
Proximal	closer to point of attachment
Distal	further away to the point of attachment

Muscular System

Function of muscles:

movement
heat production
posture body support
protection

Name of Muscle	Location
Deltoid	Shoulder
Trapezius	Triangle shape, top of neck
Pectoralis Major	Chest
Latissimus Dorsi	Back rib cage
Biceps	Front uppar arm
Triceps	Back upper arm
Rectus Abdominis	Stomach
GLuteus Maximus	Bottom
Quadriceps	Thigh
Hamstrings	Back of leg
Gastrocnemius	Calf
Tibialis Anterior	Front lower leg
Sartorius	Upper thigh
Wrist Flexors	Forearm
Wrist Extensors	Forearm

Joint Name	Meaning
Immovable Joint	Cannot move, fibrous
Slightly Moveable	Cartilagous, joined by cartilage
Moveable Joint (Synovial)	covered in smooth cartilage, synovial fluid
Synovial Joints	Meaning
Ball & Socket	joint fits like a ball end in socket
Hinge	move back and forth
Pivot	rotate side to side

Connective Tissue	Meaning
Cartilage	on the end of bones
Tendon	connects muscle to bone
Ligament	connects bone to bone

Joint Movements

Joint Movement Name	Meaning
Flexion	flexing
Extension	extending
Abduction	taking away from body
Adduction	bringing to body
Plantar Flexion	toes down
Dorsi Flexion	toes up
Pronation	palm down
Supination	palmm up
Circumduction	moves in circular motion
Rotation	rotates, side to side, up and down
Agonist	muscles casuing movement
Antagonist	muscles causing opposite movement