Human skeleton: structure, features, meaning. The meaning of the skeleton for humans. Skeletal features Anatomy of the lower extremities

This article will consider the anatomical skeleton of the human leg, foot, arm, hand, pelvis, chest, neck, skull, shoulder and forearm: diagram, structure, description.

The skeleton is the supporting support for the organs and muscles that support our life and allows us to move. Each part consists of several sections, and they, in turn, are made of bones that can change over time and subsequently receive injuries.

Sometimes there are anomalies in the growth of bones, but with proper and timely correction they can be restored to anatomical shape. In order to identify developmental pathologies in time and provide first aid, it is necessary to know the structure of the body. Today we will talk about the structure of the human skeleton in order to understand once and for all the variety of bones and their functions.

Human skeleton - bones, their structure and names: diagram, photo from front, side, back, description

The skeleton is the collection of all the bones. Each of them also has a name. They differ in structure, density, shape and different purposes.

When born, a newborn has 270 bones, but under the influence of time they begin to develop, uniting with each other. Therefore, there are only 200 bones in the adult body. The skeleton has 2 main groups:

Axial
Additional

Skull (facial, brain parts)
Thorax (includes 12 vertebrae thoracic, 12 pairs of ribs, sternum and its manubrium)
Spine (cervical and lumbar)

The additional part includes:

Belt upper limbs(including collarbones and shoulder blades)
Upper limbs (shoulders, forearms, hands, phalanges)
Belt lower limbs(sacrum, coccyx, pelvis, radius)
Lower extremities (patella, femur, tibia, fibula, phalanges, tarsus and metatarsus)

Also, each of the sections of the skeleton has its own structural nuances. For example, the skull is divided into the following parts:

Frontal
Parietal
Occipital
Temporal
Zygomatic
Lower jaw
Upper jaw
tearful
Bow
Lattice
Wedge-shaped

The spine is a ridge that is formed thanks to the bones and cartilage lined along the back. It serves as a kind of frame to which all other bones are attached. Unlike other sections and bones, the spine is characterized by a more complex placement and has several component vertebrae:

Cervical spine (7 vertebrae, C1-C7);
Thoracic region (12 vertebrae, Th1-Th12);
Lumbar (5 vertebrae, L1-L5);
Sacral department (5 vertebrae, S1-S5);
Coccygeal region (3–5 vertebrae, Co1-Co5).

All sections consist of several vertebrae that influence internal organs, the ability to function limbs, neck and other parts of the body. Almost all bones in the body are interconnected, so regular monitoring and timely treatment for injuries to avoid complications in other parts of the body.

Main parts of the human skeleton, number, weight of bones

The skeleton changes throughout a person's life. This is associated not only with natural growth, but also with aging, as well as certain diseases.

As mentioned earlier, at birth a child has 270 bones. But over time, many of them unite, forming a natural skeleton for adults. Therefore, fully formed humans may have between 200 and 208 bones. 33 of them are usually not paired.
The growth process can last up to 25 years, so the final structure of the body and bones can be seen on x-ray upon reaching this age. This is why many people suffering from diseases of the spine and bones take drug treatment and various therapeutic methods only up to 25 years old. After all, after growth stops, the patient’s condition can be maintained, but it cannot be improved.

The weight of the skeleton is determined as a percentage of the total body weight:

14% in newborns and children
16% in women
18% in men

The average representative of the stronger sex has 14 kg of bones of his total weight. Women only 10 kg. But many of us are familiar with the phrase: “Broad bone.” This means that their structure is slightly different, and their density is greater. To determine whether you are one of the this type People just need to use a centimeter, wrapping it around their wrist. If the volume reaches 19 cm or more, then your bones are really stronger and larger.

Skeletal mass is also affected by:

Age
Nationality

Many representatives of different nations of the world differ significantly from each other in height and even physique. This is due to evolutionary development, as well as the tightly ingrained genotype of the nation.

The main parts of the skeleton contain different quantities bones, for example:

23 – in the skull
26 – in the spinal columns
25 – in the ribs and sternum
64 – in the upper extremities
62 – in the lower extremities

They can also change throughout a person’s life under the influence of the following factors:

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, bones and joints
Obesity
Injuries
Active sports and dancing
Poor nutrition

Anatomical skeleton of a leg, human foot: diagram, description

The legs belong to the lower extremities section. They have several departments and function thanks to mutual support.

The legs are attached to the lower limb girdle (pelvis), but not all of them are spaced evenly. There are several that are located only at the back. If we consider the structure of the legs from the front, we can note the presence of the following bones:

Femoral
Patellar
Bolshebertsov
Malobertsovykh
Tarsal
Plusnevyh
Phalanx

Located at the back calcaneus. It connects the leg and foot. However, it is impossible to see it on an x-ray from the front. In general, the foot differs in its structure and includes:

Heel bone
Ram
Cuboid
Scaphoid
3rd wedge-shaped
2nd wedge-shaped
1st wedge-shaped
1st metatarsal
2nd metatarsal
3rd metatarsal
4th metatarsal
5th metatarsal
Main phalanxes
Terminal phalanges

All bones are connected to each other, which allows the foot to function fully. If one of the parts is injured, the work of the entire department will be disrupted, therefore, for various injuries, it is necessary to take a number of methods aimed at immobilizing the affected area and contact a traumatologist or surgeon.

Anatomical skeleton of a human arm and hand: diagram, description

Hands allow us to lead a full life. However, this is one of the most complex sections in the human body. After all, many bones complement each other’s functions. Therefore, if one of them is damaged, we will not be able to return to previous business without receiving medical care. The skeleton of the hand means:

Clavicle
Shoulder and scapula joints
Spatula
humerus
Elbow joint
Ulna
Radius
Wrist
Metacarpal bones
Presence of proximal, intermediate and distal phalanges

The joints connect the main bones to each other, therefore they provide not only their movement, but also the work of the entire arm. If the intermediate or distal phalanges are injured, other parts of the skeleton will not suffer, since they are not connected to more important departments. But if you have problems with the collarbone, shoulder or ulna, a person will not be able to control and fully move his arm.

Therefore, if you have received any injury, you cannot ignore going to the doctor, because in the case of tissue fusion without proper help, this is fraught with complete immobility in the future.

Anatomical skeleton of the human shoulder and forearm: diagram, description

The shoulders not only connect the arms to the body, but also help the body acquire the necessary proportionality from an aesthetic point of view.

At the same time, it is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. After all, the forearm and shoulders bear a huge load, as in Everyday life, and when playing sports with heavy weights. The structure of this part of the skeleton is as follows:

Clavicle (has the connecting function of the scapula and the main skeleton)
Shoulder blade (combines the muscles of the back and arms)
Coracoid process (holds all ligaments)
Brachial process (protects from injury)
Glenoid cavity of the scapula (also has a connecting function)
Head of the humerus (forms an abutment)
Anatomical neck of the humerus (supports fibrous tissue joint capsule)
Humerus (provides movement)

As you can see, all sections of the shoulder and forearm complement each other's functions, and are also placed in such a way as to provide maximum protection to the joints and thinner bones. With their help, the hands move freely, starting from the phalanges of the fingers and ending with the collarbones.

Anatomical skeleton of the human chest and pelvis: diagram, description

The chest in the body protects the most important organs and the spine from injury, and also prevents their displacement and deformation. The pelvis plays the role of a frame that keeps the organs immobile. It is also worth saying that it is to the pelvis that our legs are attached.

The chest, or rather its frame, consists of 4 parts:

Two sides
Front
Rear

The frame of the human chest is represented by the ribs, the sternum itself, the vertebrae and the ligaments and joints connecting them.

The back support is the spine, and the front part of the chest consists of cartilage. In total, this part of the skeleton has 12 pairs of ribs (1 pair attached to a vertebra).

By the way, rib cage covers all vital organs:

Heart
Lungs
Pancreas
Part of the stomach

However, when diseases of the spine occur, as well as its deformation, the ribs and parts of the cage can also change, creating unnecessary compression and pain.

The shape of the sternum can vary depending on genetics, breathing pattern and general condition health. Infants, as a rule, have a protruding chest, but during the period of active growth it becomes less visually pronounced. It is also worth saying that in women it is more well developed and has advantages in width compared to men.

The pelvis differs significantly depending on the gender of the person. Women have the following characteristics:

Large width
Shorter length
The shape of the cavity resembles a cylinder
The entrance to the pelvis is rounded
The sacrum is short and wide
The wings of the ilium are horizontal
The angle of the pubic area reaches 90-100 degrees

Men have the following characteristics:

The pelvis is narrower, but high
The wings of the ilium are located horizontally
The sacrum is narrower and longer
Pubic angle about 70-75 degrees
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Pelvic cavity resembling a cone

The general structure includes:

Greater pelvis (fifth lumbar vertebra, posterior superior axis of the garter, sacroiliac joint)
Border line (sacrum, coccyx)
Small pelvis (pubic symphysis, anterior superior part of the garter)

Anatomical skeleton of the neck, human skull: diagram, description

The neck and skull are complementary parts of the skeleton. After all, without each other they will not have fastenings, which means they will not be able to function. The skull combines several parts. They are divided into subcategories:

Frontal
Parietal
Occipital
Temporal
Zygomatic
Lacrimal
Nasals
Lattice
Wedge-shaped

In addition, the lower and upper jaw also referred to as the structure of the skull.

The neck is slightly different and includes:

sternum
Clavicles
Thyroid cartilage
Hyoid bone

They connect to the most important parts of the spine and help all the bones function without straining them due to their correct position.

What is the role of the human skeleton, what ensures mobility, what is referred to as the mechanical function of the bones of the skeleton?

In order to understand what the functions of the skeleton are, and why it is so important to maintain normal bones and posture, it is necessary to consider the skeleton from a logical point of view. After all, muscles, blood vessels and nerve endings cannot exist independently. To perform optimally, they need a frame on which they can be mounted.

The skeleton performs the function of protecting vital internal organs from displacement and injury. Not many people know, but our bones can withstand a load of 200 kg, which is comparable to steel. But if they were made of metal, human movements would become impossible, because the scale mark could reach 300 kg.

Therefore, mobility is ensured by the following factors:

Presence of joints
Lightness of bones
Flexibility of muscles and tendons

In the process of development, we learn movements and plasticity. With regular exercise or any physical activity You can achieve an increase in flexibility, speed up the growth process, and also form the correct musculoskeletal system.

The mechanical functions of the skeleton include:

Movement
Protection
Depreciation
And, of course, support

Among the biological ones there are:

Participation in metabolism
Hematopoiesis process

All these factors are possible thanks to chemical composition, And anatomical features skeletal structure. Because bones are made up of:

Water (about 50%)
Fat (16%)
Collagen (13%)
Chemical compounds (manganese, calcium, sulfate and others)

Bones of the human skeleton: how are they connected to each other?

The bones are fixed to each other using tendons and joints. After all, they help ensure the process of movement and protect the skeleton from premature wear and thinning.

However, not all bones are the same in their attachment structure. Depending on the connective tissue, there are sedentary and mobile with the help of joints.

In total there are about 4 hundred ligaments in the body of an adult. The strongest of them helps the functioning of the tibia and can withstand loads of up to 2 centners. However, not only ligaments help provide mobility, but also anatomical structure bones. They are made in such a way that they complement each other. But in the absence of a lubricant, the service life of the skeleton would not be so long. Since bones could quickly wear away due to friction, the following are called upon to protect against this destructive factor:

Joints
Cartilage
Periarticular tissue
Bursa
Interarticular fluid

Ligaments connect the most important and largest bones in our body:

tibial
Tarsals
Radiation
Spatula
Clavicles

What are the structural features of the human skeleton associated with upright walking?

With the development of evolution, the human body, including its skeleton, has undergone significant changes. These changes were aimed at preserving life and developing the human body in accordance with the requirements of weather conditions.

The most significant skeletal rearrangements include the following factors:

The appearance of S-shaped curves (they provide balance support and also help concentrate muscles and bones when jumping and running).
The upper limbs became more mobile, including the phalanges of the fingers and hands (this helped develop fine motor skills, as well as exercise complex tasks, grabbing or holding someone).
The size of the chest has become smaller (this is due to the fact that the human body no longer needs to consume as much oxygen. This happened because the person has become taller and, moving on the two lower limbs, receives more air).
Changes in the structure of the skull (the work of the brain has reached high levels, therefore, with increased intellectual work, the cerebral region has taken precedence over the facial region).
Expansion of the pelvis (the need to bear offspring, as well as to protect the internal organs of the pelvis).
The lower limbs began to predominate in size over the upper ones (this is due to the need to search for food and move, because to overcome long distances and walking speed, the legs must be larger and stronger).

Thus, we see that under the influence of evolutionary processes, as well as the need for life support, the body is capable of rearranging itself into different positions, taking any position to preserve the life of a person as a biological individual.

What is the longest, most massive, strong and small bone in the human skeleton?

The adult human body contains a huge number of bones of different diameters, sizes and densities. We don’t even know about the existence of many of them, because they are not felt at all.

But there are a few of the most interesting bones that help support body functions, while being significantly different from others.

The femur is considered to be the longest and most massive. Its length in the body of an adult reaches at least 45 cm or more. It also affects the ability to walk and balance, and the length of the legs. It is the femur that takes over most weight of a person when moving and can withstand up to 200 kg of weight.
The smallest bone is the stirrup. It is located in the middle ear and weighs several grams and is 3-4 mm long. But the stirrup allows you to capture sound vibrations, therefore it is one of the most important parts in the structure of the organ of hearing.
The only part of the skull that retains motor activity is the lower jaw. It is capable of withstanding a load of several hundred kilograms, thanks to its developed facial muscles and specific structure.
The tibia can rightfully be considered the strongest bone in the human body. It is this bone that can withstand compression with a force of up to 4000 kg, which is a full 1000 more than the femur.

Which bones are tubular in the human skeleton?

Tubular or long bones are those that have a cylindrical or trihedral shape. Their length is greater than their width. Such bones grow due to the process of lengthening the body, and at the ends they have an epiphysis covered with hyaline cartilage. The following bones are called tubular:

Femoral
fibular
tibial
Shoulder
Elbow
Radiation

The short tubular bones are:

Phalanx
Metacarpals
Metatarsals

The above-mentioned bones are not only the longest, but also the strongest, because they can withstand great pressure and weight. Their growth depends on the general condition of the body and the amount of growth hormone produced. Tubular bones make up almost 50% of the entire human skeleton.

Which bones in the human skeleton are connected movably by means of a joint and motionlessly?

For normal functioning of bones, they are necessary reliable protection and fixation. For this purpose, there is a joint that plays a connecting role. However, not all bones are fixed in a movable state in our body. We cannot move many of them at all, but in their absence our life and health would not be complete.

The fixed bones include the skull, since the bone is integral and does not need any connecting materials.

The sedentary ones, which are connected to the skeleton by cartilage, are:

Thoracic ends of ribs
Vertebrae

Movable bones that are fixed by joints include the following:

Shoulder
Elbow
Radiocarpal
Femoral
Knee
tibial
fibular

What tissue is the basis of the bones of the skeleton, what substance gives the human skeleton strength, what is the composition of the bones?

Bone is a collection of several types of tissue in the human body that form the basis for supporting muscles, nerve fibers and internal organs. They form the skeleton, which serves as a frame for the body.

Bones are:

Flat – formed from connective tissues: shoulder blades, hip bones
Short – formed from spongy substance: carpus, tarsus
Mixed - arise by combining several types of tissues: skull, chest
Pneumatic - contain oxygen inside, and are also covered with a mucous membrane
Sesamoids - located in tendons

The following tissues play an active role in the formation of various types of bones:

Connective
Spongy substance
Cartilaginous
Coarse fiber
Fine fiber

They all form bones of varying strength and location, and some parts of the skeleton, for example, the skull, contain several types of tissue.

How long does it take for the human skeleton to grow?

On average, the process of growth and development of the human body lasts from the moment of intrauterine conception to 25 years. Under the influence of many factors, this phenomenon may slow down, or, conversely, not stop until a more mature age. Such influencing features include:

Lifestyle
Food quality
Heredity
Hormonal imbalances
Illnesses during pregnancy
Genetic diseases
Substance use
Alcoholism
Lack of physical activity

Many bones are formed under the influence of the production of growth hormone, but in medicine there are cases where people continued to grow throughout 40-50 years of life or, on the contrary, stopped in childhood.

This may be related to a number of genetic diseases, as well as disorders of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland and other organs.
It is also important to note that the growth of people in different countries significantly different. For example, in Peru, most women are no taller than 150 cm, and men are no taller than 160 cm. While in Norway it is almost impossible to meet a person shorter than 170 cm. This significant difference is caused by evolutionary development. People had a need to obtain food, so their height and figure depended on the degree of activity and quality of food.

Here are a few interesting facts about the development of the human body, in particular about growth.

If you are over 25 but want to grow taller, there are several methods that can help you increase your height at almost any age:

Sports (regular physical exercise able to correct posture by adding a few centimeters).
Pulling on the horizontal bar (under the influence of gravity, the vertebrae will take an anatomically correct shape and lengthen the overall height).
Elizarov’s apparatus (suitable for the most radical citizens; the principle of operation is to increase the total length of the legs by 2-4 cm; before you decide, it is worth noting that the procedure is painful, since both legs of the patient are first broken, after which he is immobilized by the apparatus for several months, and then plaster). This method is only indicated when prescribed by a doctor.
Yoga and swimming (with the development of flexibility of the spine, its length increases, and, consequently, height).

The main collateral happy life is health. Before deciding on any surgical interventions, it is worth understanding the risks, as well as the consequences.

The skeleton is the natural support for our body. And taking care of him by refusing bad habits and proper nutrition will save you from joint diseases, fractures and other troubles in the future.

It is also worth remembering that in case of injury, you must consult a doctor. After all, if the bone heals naturally, there is a risk of paralysis of the limb, and this in turn will lead to the need to further break the bone in order for it to heal properly.

Video: Human skeleton, its structure and meaning

The human skeleton is divided into torso skeleton, head skeleton, limb skeleton and their belts.

Skeleton of the torso

Skeleton of the torso includes the spine and chest.

formed by 33–34 vertebrae located one above the other. Between the vertebral bodies there are layers of cartilage tissue that give the spine flexibility and elasticity. There are five sections of the spine: cervical , consisting of 7 vertebrae, chest - out of 12, lumbar - out of 5, sacral - from 5 and coccygeal (caudal) - from 4–5 fused vertebrae. Each vertebra consists of, body arcs And shoots

. There is a hole between the body and the arc. The vertebral foramina together form spinal canal , in which lies spinal cord . First two cervical vertebrae provide head rotation. The most massive vertebrae are located in lumbar region , which can withstand the greatest weight of the body. The sacral vertebrae fuse into massive bone - sacrum

. The coccygeal bones are underdeveloped and represent a rudiment of the tail of the animals of human ancestors.

Head skeleton Head skeleton - the skull consists of arcs doubles unpaired bones, most of them are flat, connected to each other motionlessly - seams . In the skull there are arcs cerebral facial sections . The brain section consists of eight bones: four of them are unpaired -, occipital, wedge-shaped, lattice frontal and two doubles - arcs parietal.

temporal Occipital bone forms back wall skull and its base, has a large foramen magnum, through which the spinal cord connects to the brain. In the center of the base of the skull is placed . sphenoid bone Frontal bone

lies in front of the parietals and is part of the roof of the skull. It is characterized by frontal tubercles and brow ridges. Ethmoid bone built of thin bone plates, between which there are air cavities. Temporal bones Parietal- form the middle of the roof of the skull. The facial part of the skull consists of 6 paired and 3 unpaired bones. Of these, the lower part - the only movable bone of the skull - is articulated by two heads of the articular process with the mandibular fossae temporal bone. The upper and lower jaws each contain 16 cells in which the roots of the teeth are placed.

In addition to the jaw bones, in the facial region there are nasal bones, opener– unpaired bone involved in the formation of the nasal septum, lacrimal bones, zygomatic arcs palatal.

Skeleton of the upper limbs

Skeleton of the upper limbs consists of the shoulder girdle and free limbs - arms. Shoulder girdle formed by two paired bones: spatula arcs collarbone. Two triangular blades are located on back surface chest and articulate with the humerus and sternum.

The skeleton of the upper limb is formed by the bones: brachial connected to the blade, forearms(radial and ulnar) and brushes. The skeleton of the hand is formed small bones of the wrist, long bones of the metacarpus arcs finger bones. The bones of the forearm, together with the shoulder, form the complex elbow joint, and with the bones of the wrist, the wrist joint.

The hand includes 8 small carpal bones arranged in two rows, five metacarpal bones forming the palm and fourteen phalanges of the fingers, of which thumb has two phalanges, and the rest - three.

Skeleton of the lower limbs

Skeleton of the lower limbs is divided into the skeleton of the pelvic girdle and the skeleton of the free limbs - legs.

Pelvic girdle consists of two massive flat pelvic bones, firmly fused to the sacrum at the back, and almost rigidly connected to each other in the front in a false articulation. They have round depressions into which the heads of the femurs fit.

The skeleton of the lower limb consists of bones: femoral, shins(tibia and tibia) and feet. Knee-joint- the junction of the thigh and lower leg - protected in front by a small flat patella. The bone skeleton is formed by short bones of the tarsus, long bones of the metatarsus and phalanges of the fingers. Due to upright walking, the human foot has acquired an arched shape, which gives it the properties of a spring and ensures a springy gait.

Features of the human skeleton associated with upright posture and work activity - 4 smooth curves of the spine, wide chest, massive bones of the lower extremities, wide pelvic bones, arched foot, predominance of the cerebral part of the skull over the facial part.

The skeleton is a set of solid formations that perform protective, supporting and motor functions. Depends on the shape of the skeleton appearance person. Bones and their connections are the passive part of the musculoskeletal system. Muscles, which have the ability to contract and change the position of bones, are an active part of the musculoskeletal system. The mobility of the skeleton is ensured by the joints of the bones. Some joints are elastic (flexible cartilaginous joints that connect the vertebrae of the spine and ribs).

A joint is a connection between two bones that provides mobility. How more joints, the more mobile this part of the body is (for example, the hand). The skeleton performs great importance protective function - protects important parts of the body from damage, for example, the skull covers the brain, the spine - the spinal cord, the chest - the heart, lungs, liver, spleen.

Skeletal structure

Scull

The skull is the skeleton of the head that protects the brain, sensory organs, primary departments digestive and respiratory systems. The skull consists of the brain and facial sections. The brain skull is formed by 7 bones. Its upper part forms the roof, the lower part the base. The facial skull consists of 22 bones.

Spine

The spine consists of vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, fused into one bone (sacrum) and coccyx. The elasticity of the spine is provided by intervertebral discs (23 in total).

Shoulder girdle

It is formed by both shoulder blades and the collarbone, and is connected to the skeleton of the body by various muscles and ligaments. In the upper corners of the triangular-shaped shoulder blades there are articular cavities.

Upper limbs and hands

The humerus connects at elbow joint with both bones of the forearm - the ulna and radius. The wrist joint is made up of many small bones. Then come the metacarpal bones and phalanges of the fingers.

Rib cage

It consists of 12 thoracic vertebrae, 12 pairs of ribs and the sternum. The 7 upper pairs of ribs connect directly to the sternum.

Pelvic girdle

The skeleton of the lower extremities includes the pelvic girdle, and is an integral part of the skeleton of the torso. On both sides there are formed acetabulums of the hip joints.

Lower limbs and feet

There is one large bone in the thigh - the femur; in the lower leg there are two - the tibia and fibula. The knee joint is protected by the patella. The feet are shaped like arches, so even though the foot bones are small and light, they are able to support the weight of the body.

The largest and strongest bone in humans is the femur. Length femur an adult man reaches 50 cm, and the greatest load on it is 750 kg. If we do not take into account the smallest human bones - the auditory ones, which do not belong to the passive musculoskeletal system, then the pisiform bone is the smallest.

Books on anatomy provide data on the presence of about 245 bones in the human skeleton. It is not possible to indicate the exact quantity due to the lack of precise definition bones. For example, should 32 adult teeth be added to the total number of bones? How to count the skull bones fused together as one or several bones?

In the human body, everything is interconnected and arranged very wisely. The skin and muscles, internal organs and skeleton, all clearly interact with each other, thanks to the efforts of nature. Below is a description of the human skeleton and its functions.

In contact with

general information

Frame of bones different sizes and the form on which the human body is fixed is called the skeleton. It serves as a support and provides reliable safety to important internal organs. You can see what a human skeleton looks like in the photo.

Organ described, connecting with muscle tissue, is the musculoskeletal system of homo sapiens. Thanks to this, all individuals can move freely.

Finally developed bone consists of 20% water and is the strongest in the body. Human bones include inorganic substances, due to which they have strength, and organic, giving flexibility. This is why bones are strong and elastic.

Anatomy of human bones

Looking at the organ in more detail, it is clear that it consists of several layers:

External. Forms bone tissue of high strength;
Connective. The layer tightly covers the outside of the bones;
Loose connective tissue. Complex interweaving of blood vessels is located here;
Cartilage tissue. Settled at the ends of the organ, due to it the bones have the opportunity to grow, but until a certain age;
Nerve endings. They transmit signals from the brain and back, like wires.

Bone marrow is placed in the cavity of the bone tube; it is red and yellow.

Functions

Without exaggeration, we can say that the body will die if the skeleton stops performing its important functions:

Support. The solid osteochondral framework of the body is formed by bones, to which fascia, muscles and internal organs are attached.
Protective. Containers are created from it to contain and protect the spinal cord (spine), brain (cranium) and for other, no less important, human vital organs (rib frame).
Motor. Here we observe the use of bones by muscles as levers to move the body with the help of tendons. They determine the coherence of joint movements.
Cumulative. In the central cavities of long bones, fat accumulates - this is yellow bone marrow. The growth and strength of the skeleton depends on it.
In metabolism bone tissue plays an important role; it can be safely called a storehouse of phosphorus and calcium. It is responsible for the metabolism of additional minerals in the human body: sulfur, magnesium, sodium, potassium and copper. When there is a shortage of any of the listed substances, they are released into the blood and spread throughout the body.
Hematopoietic. Filled with blood vessels and nerves, red bone marrow takes an active part in hematopoiesis and bone formation. The skeleton contributes to the creation of blood and its renewal. The process of hematopoiesis occurs.

Skeletal organization

Into the skeletal structure includes several groups of bones. One contains the spine, cranium, chest and is the main group, which is a load-bearing structure and forms a frame.

The second, additional group includes bones that form the arms, legs and bones that provide connection with the axial skeleton. Each group is described in more detail below.

Main or axial skeleton

The skull is the bony base of the head. In shape it is half an ellipsoid. The brain is located inside the cranium, and the sense organs also find their place here. Serves as a solid support for the elements of the respiratory and digestive apparatus.

The rib cage is the bony base of the chest. It resembles a compressed truncated cone. It is not only a supporting device, but also a movable device, participating in the work of the lungs. The chest contains internal organs.

Spine- an important part of the skeleton, it ensures a stable vertical position of the body and houses the spinal cord, protecting it from damage.

Accessory skeleton

Upper limb girdle – provides the ability for the upper limbs to attach to the axial skeleton. It consists of a pair of shoulder blades and a pair of clavicles.

Upper limbs – unique working tool, which you can’t do without. It consists of three sections: the shoulder, forearm and hand.

Lower limb girdle – attaches the lower limbs to the axial frame, and is also a convenient container and support for the digestive, reproductive and urinary systems.

Lower limbs - mainly perform supporting, motor and spring functions human body.

The human skeleton with the name of the bones, as well as how many there are in the body and each section, is described below.

Skeletal departments

The adult human skeleton contains 206 bones. Usually its anatomy debuts with a skull. Separately, I would like to note the presence of the external skeleton - dentition and nails. The human frame consists of many paired and unpaired organs, forming separate skeletal parts.

Anatomy of the skull

The skull also includes paired and unpaired bones. Some are spongy, while others are mixed. There are two main sections in the skull; they differ in their functions and development. Right there, in the temporal region, is the middle ear.

The medulla creates a cavity for part of the sense organs and the brain of the head. It contains a vault and a base. There are 7 bones in the department:

Frontal;
Wedge-shaped;
Parietal (2 pcs.);
Temporal (2 pcs.);
Lattice.

The facial section includes 15 bones. It houses most of the sense organs. This is where they start respiratory and digestive systems s.

The middle ear contains a chain of three small bones, they transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the labyrinth. There are 6 of them in the skull. 3 on the right and 3 on the left.

Hammer (2 pcs.);
Anvil (2 pcs.);
The stapes (2 pcs.) is the smallest bone measuring 2.5 mm.

Anatomy of the torso

This includes the spine starting from the neck. The chest is attached to it. They are very related in location and the functions they perform. Let's consider separately spinal column, then the chest.

Spinal column

The axial skeleton consists of 32–34 vertebrae. They are connected to each other by cartilage, ligaments and joints. The spine is divided into 5 sections and each section has several vertebrae:

Cervical (7 pieces) this includes epistropheus and atlas;
Chest (12 pcs.);
Lumbar (5 pcs.);
Sacral (5 pcs.);
Coccygeal (3–5 fused).

The vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs, the number of which is 23. This combination is called: partially movable joints.

Rib cage

This part of the human skeleton is formed from the sternum and 12 ribs, which are attached to the 12 thoracic vertebrae. The rib cage, flattened from front to back and expanded in the transverse direction, forms a movable and durable rib cage. It protects the lungs, heart and major blood vessels from damage.

Sternum.

It has a flat shape and spongy structure. It contains the rib cage in front.

Anatomy of the upper limbs

With the help of the upper limbs, a person performs a lot of elementary and complex actions. The hands include many small parts and are divided into several departments, each of which conscientiously performs its work.

In the free part of the upper limb includes four sections:

The upper limb girdle includes: 2 shoulder blades and 2 clavicles.
Humerus (2 pcs.);
Ulnar (2 pcs.) and radial (2 pcs.);
Brush. This the hard part composed of 27 small fragments. Bones of the wrist (8 x 2), metacarpus (5 x 2) and phalanges (14 x 2).

Hands are exceptional apparatus for fine motor skills and precise movements. Human bones are 4 times stronger than concrete, so you can perform rough mechanical movements, the main thing is not to overdo it.

Anatomy of the lower extremities

The bones of the pelvic girdle form the skeleton of the lower extremities. Human legs consist of many small parts and are divided into sections:

The leg skeleton is similar to the arm skeleton. Their structure is the same, but the difference is visible in the details and size. The feet bear the entire weight of the human body when moving. Therefore, they are stronger and stronger than hands.

Bone shapes

In the human body, bones are not only of different sizes, but also of different shapes. There are 4 types of bone shapes:

Wide and flat (like a skull);
Tubular or long (in the limbs);
Having a composite shape, asymmetrical (pelvic and vertebrae);
Short (wrist or foot bones).

Having examined the structure of the human skeleton, we can come to the conclusion that it is important structural component human body. Performs functions through which the body carries out the normal process of its life.

The skeleton, a photo of which will be presented below, is a collection of bone elements of the body. The word itself has ancient Greek roots. Translated, the term means “dried.” The skeleton is considered the passive part of the musculoskeletal system. It develops from mesenchyme. Next, let's take a closer look at the skeleton: structure, functions, etc.

Sexual characteristics

Before talking about what functions the skeleton performs, it is worth noting a number of distinctive features this part of the body. In particular, some sexual characteristics of the structure are of interest. There are a total of 206 bones that make up the skeleton (the photo illustrates all its elements). Almost everything is connected into a single whole through joints, ligaments and other joints. The skeletal structure of men and women is generally the same. There are no fundamental differences between them. However, differences are found only in slightly modified forms or sizes of individual elements and the systems that they make up. The most obvious differences in the skeletal structure of men and women include, for example, the fact that the bones of the fingers and limbs of the former are somewhat longer and thicker than those of the latter. At the same time, the tuberosities (areas of fixation of muscle fibers) are usually more pronounced in men. Women have a wider pelvis and a narrower chest. As for gender differences in the skull, they are also insignificant. In this regard, it is often quite difficult for specialists to determine who it belongs to: a woman or a man. At the same time, in the latter, the brow ridges and tubercle protrude more, the eye sockets are larger, and the paranasal sinuses are better defined. In the male skull, the bone elements are somewhat thicker than in the female. Anteroposterior (longitudinal) and vertical parameters Men have more of this part of the skeleton. The capacity of the female skull is about 1300 cm 3 . For men, this figure is also higher - 1450 cm 3. This difference is due to the smaller overall size of the female body.

Head department

There are two zones in the skeleton. In particular, it contains the trunk and head sections. The latter, in turn, includes the facial and brain parts. The brain part contains 2 temporal, 2 parietal, frontal, occipital and partially. The facial part contains (paired) and lower. The teeth are fixed in their sockets.

Spine

In this section, there are coccygeal (4-5 pieces), sacral (5), lumbar (5), thoracic (12) and cervical (7) segments. The vertebral arches form the spinal canal. The pillar itself has four bends. Thanks to this, it is possible to carry out the indirect function of the skeleton associated with upright walking. Elastic plates are located between the vertebrae. They help improve the flexibility of the spine. The appearance of column bends is caused by the need to soften shocks during movement: running, walking, jumping. Thanks to this, the spinal cord and internal organs are not subject to shock. There is a channel running inside the spine. It surrounds the spinal cord.

Rib cage

It includes the sternum, 12 segments of the second section of the spine, as well as 12 pairs of ribs. The first 10 of them are connected to the sternum by cartilage, the last two do not have articulations with it. Thanks to the chest, it is possible to perform the protective function of the skeleton. In particular, it ensures the safety of the heart and organs of the bronchopulmonary and partially digestive systems. At the back, the costal plates have a movable articulation with the vertebrae, while at the front (except for the lower two pairs) they are connected to the sternum through flexible cartilage. Due to this, the chest can narrow or expand during breathing.

Upper limbs

This part contains humerus, forearm (ulnar and radial elements), wrist, five metacarpal segments and digital phalanges. In general, there are three departments. These include the hand, forearm and shoulder. The latter is formed by a long bone. The hand is connected to the forearm and consists of small wrist elements, a metacarpus that forms the palm, and movable flexible fingers. The attachment of the upper limbs to the body is carried out through the clavicles and shoulder blades. They form

Lower limbs

In this part of the skeleton there are 2 pelvic bones. Each of them includes the ischial, pubic and iliac elements fused with each other. The hip is also included in the lower extremity girdle. It is formed by the corresponding bone of the same name. This element is considered the largest of all in the skeleton. Also in the leg there is a shin. This section includes two tibia bones - the tibia and the fibula. Covers the lower limb of the foot. It consists of several bones, the largest of which is the heel. Articulation with the body is carried out through the pelvic elements. In humans, these bones are more massive and wider than in animals. As connecting elements joints protrude from the limbs.

Types of joints

There are only three of them. In the skeleton, bones can be connected movably, semi-movably or immobile. Articulation of the latter type is characteristic of cranial elements (except for the ribs and vertebrae that are semi-movably connected to the sternum. Ligaments and cartilages act as articulation elements. A movable connection is characteristic of joints. Each of them has a surface, a fluid present in the cavity, and a bag. As a rule, The joints are strengthened by ligaments. Due to them, the range of motion is limited. The joint fluid reduces the friction of the bone elements during movement.

What functions does the skeleton perform?

This part of the body has two tasks: biological and mechanical. In connection with solving the last problem, the following functions of the human skeleton are distinguished:

Motor. This task is performed indirectly, since the skeletal elements serve to attach muscle fibers.
Supportive function of the skeleton. Bone elements and their joints make up the skeleton. Organs and soft tissues are attached to it.
Spring. Thanks to the presence of articular cartilage and a number of structural features (curves of the spine, arch of the foot), shock absorption is provided. As a result, tremors are eliminated and tremors are softened.
Protective. The skeleton contains bone formations, which ensure the safety of important organs. In particular, the skull protects the brain, the sternum protects the heart, lungs and some other organs, and the spine protects the spinal structure.

Biological functions of the human skeleton:

Damage

In case of incorrect body position for a long period (for example, prolonged sitting with a bowed head at a table, uncomfortable posture, etc.), as well as against the background of a series of hereditary causes(especially in combination with errors in nutrition, insufficient physical development) there may be a violation of the holding function of the skeleton. On early stages this phenomenon can be eliminated fairly quickly. However, it is better to prevent it. To do this, experts recommend choosing a comfortable position when working, regularly engaging in sports, gymnastics, swimming and other activities.

Another fairly common pathological condition considered to be a foot deformity. Against the background of this phenomenon, a violation occurs motor function skeleton. can occur under the influence of diseases, be the result of injuries or prolonged overload of the foot during the growth of the body.

Under the influence of strong physical activity A bone fracture may occur. This type of injury can be closed or open (with a wound). About 3/4 of all fractures occur in the arms and legs. The main sign of injury is severe pain. A fracture can provoke subsequent deformation of the bone and disruption of the functions of the section in which it is located. If a fracture is suspected, the victim must be provided with ambulance and hospitalized. Before any action is taken, the patient is referred for an X-ray examination. During the diagnosis, the location of the fracture, the presence and displacement of bone fragments are identified.