Functions of the Organs:
How do all the different parts of the skeletal system work together to form an organ system that helps us so much in our everyday life?
1. Bones
The bones are probably the most obvious organ of the skeletal system, but all they do for us may not be so obvious. Of course without the bones we would not have a skeletal system, because the skeleton is the main part of the system. The bones are moved by muscles so that we can move and carry out the everyday actions we do. Another main function of the bones is to protect vital organs from injury. The skull protects the brain, the pelvis protects the pelvic organs including the female reproductive organs, the vertebral canal protects the spinal cord and the rib cage protects the lungs and the heart. A more obvious function of the bones is to provide structure for the body so our bodies stay upright. Lastly, like we read on the functions page, bones contain red bone marrow which is where blood is made. These are all very important functions of the bones in the skeletal system and without the bones there is no way we would survive.
2. Cartilage
Cartilage is another very important part of the skeletal system. Articular cartilage is found covering the bones at the joints which provides a smooth surface so that when the bones rub against each other it does not damage them. Cartilage is not only found in the joints though, for example it separates all the vertebrae of the spine so that the there can be some movement between the vertebrae, or so that we can move our back and it is not completely stiff. Another function of cartilage is to connect all twelve pair of ribs we have. The cartilage is very important, and as we get older and the cartilage starts to wear away it can cause many problems which you will read about on the diseases part of the website.
3. Ligaments
Ligaments are a very important part of the skeletal system. Ligaments are made by strong sheets of connective tissue and they are in charge of connecting bone to bone at joints. Joints are where bone meets bone and the ligaments connect the two bones; they are not an organ, but instead the end of two bones. Ligaments also keep our bones in the proper position, keep us upright, and they allow us to bear weight. Some of the most common joints are the knees, elbows and wrists. The joints work with the ligaments to allow our bones to move in various ways.
4. Tendons
As you may or may not know, the tendons have the very important job of connecting the bones with muscle. This is important, because if the muscles were not connected to the bones then the skeleton could not be moved. It is true that the tendons are actually a part of the muscular system, but probably the most important function of the muscular system is for the tendons to work with the muscles to move the skeleton.
The bones are probably the most obvious organ of the skeletal system, but all they do for us may not be so obvious. Of course without the bones we would not have a skeletal system, because the skeleton is the main part of the system. The bones are moved by muscles so that we can move and carry out the everyday actions we do. Another main function of the bones is to protect vital organs from injury. The skull protects the brain, the pelvis protects the pelvic organs including the female reproductive organs, the vertebral canal protects the spinal cord and the rib cage protects the lungs and the heart. A more obvious function of the bones is to provide structure for the body so our bodies stay upright. Lastly, like we read on the functions page, bones contain red bone marrow which is where blood is made. These are all very important functions of the bones in the skeletal system and without the bones there is no way we would survive.
2. Cartilage
Cartilage is another very important part of the skeletal system. Articular cartilage is found covering the bones at the joints which provides a smooth surface so that when the bones rub against each other it does not damage them. Cartilage is not only found in the joints though, for example it separates all the vertebrae of the spine so that the there can be some movement between the vertebrae, or so that we can move our back and it is not completely stiff. Another function of cartilage is to connect all twelve pair of ribs we have. The cartilage is very important, and as we get older and the cartilage starts to wear away it can cause many problems which you will read about on the diseases part of the website.
3. Ligaments
Ligaments are a very important part of the skeletal system. Ligaments are made by strong sheets of connective tissue and they are in charge of connecting bone to bone at joints. Joints are where bone meets bone and the ligaments connect the two bones; they are not an organ, but instead the end of two bones. Ligaments also keep our bones in the proper position, keep us upright, and they allow us to bear weight. Some of the most common joints are the knees, elbows and wrists. The joints work with the ligaments to allow our bones to move in various ways.
4. Tendons
As you may or may not know, the tendons have the very important job of connecting the bones with muscle. This is important, because if the muscles were not connected to the bones then the skeleton could not be moved. It is true that the tendons are actually a part of the muscular system, but probably the most important function of the muscular system is for the tendons to work with the muscles to move the skeleton.