Effects of Disease on Human Physiology; Skeletal System

The word skeleton comes from the Greek word skeletos, meaning "dried up." The parts of the skeletal system—the bones and other structures that make up the joints of the skeleton—are anything but dried up. Strong yet light, the skeletal system is made of living material, with networks of blood vessels running throughout. The system protects body organs, supports the body, and provides attachment points for muscles to enable body movement. All bones act as storage sites for minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, and certain bones also produce blood cells. A common disease, which affects the skeletal system, is osteoporosis. This essay will cover the general structure, function, location and relationships to other body systems of the skeletal system and a detailed account on osteoporosis a disease, which affects the skeletal system.

The human skeletal system is located through out the entire body. (See appendix A). The cranium is located at the top of the body and the metatarsals are located in your toes, at the bottom of your body. The biggest and strongest bone is the femur located in your thigh and the smallest bones, the malleus, incus, and stapes (hammer, anvil & stirrup), are found in your ear.

The general structure of the skeletal system is composed of approximately 206 bones in adulthood. Bones are a solid network of moist, living cells, tissues, and fibers that are supported by numerous deposits of calcium salts. The Calcium Salts give bones the strength and protective functions they possess. Each bone consists of 3 parts, the periosteum, compact bone and spongy bone. The periosteum is a thin layer covering the compact bone and cannot be seen by the naked eye. It contains a network of Blood Vessels, which supply Oxygen, to the Nerves and provide Nutrients to the bone. The periosteum...