Musculoskeletal system and its structure and functions

Musculoskeletal System

Structure of the Musculoskeletal System

The musculoskeletal system is made up of two main components: the muscles and the skeleton. It includes the bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles and other connective tissues that allow movement and maintain stability.
The human skeleton can be divided into two parts: the axial skeleton (comprising the skull, spinal column, sternum, and ribs) and the appendicular skeleton (comprising the shoulders, pelvis, and limbs).
There are 206 bones in an adult human skeleton, which vary in size and shape; these include long bones like the femur, short bones like the carpals, flat bones like the scapula, and irregular bones like the vertebrae.
Ligaments are fibrous, elastic tissues that connect bone to bone, providing joint stability. Tendons, on the other hand, are inelastic tissues that connect muscle to bone, facilitating movement.
Muscles come in three types: skeletal (for movement and posture, consciously controlled), cardiac (heart muscle, involuntarily controlled) and smooth (found in walls of internal organs and blood vessels, involuntarily controlled).

Functions of the Musculoskeletal System

Primarily, the musculoskeletal system supports the body, providing shape and form.
The skeletal system provides a rigid framework for the body, enabling it to maintain its shape and protect vital organs.
Together with the muscular system, it enables a wide range of movements and contributes to the ability to perform physical activities.
The muscles generate force and provide the capability for voluntary movements, while tendons transfer this force to the bones.
Muscles also help to maintain body temperature through thermoregulation. Muscle contraction produces heat, which is spread throughout the body to maintain temperature balance.
Bones play a crucial role in haematopoiesis, the production of blood cells in the bone marrow.
Additionally, bones serve as a storage site for minerals like calcium and phosphorous, which are essential for various physiological processes in the body.
The musculoskeletal system, through the skeleton, provides mechanical protection for many of the body’s internal organs, reducing risk of injury to these important structures.
Exchange of materials for growth and repair of tissues is also a function fulfilled by the musculoskeletal system.

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