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The Skeletal System

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The skeletal system is made up of bones, associated cartilages, and joints of the human body. Together they form the human skeleton. The human skeleton is divided into two parts: the appendicular skeleton which consists of shoulders, arms/hands, pelvis legs/feet and the axial skeleton which consists of the skull, vertebrae, and rib cage. There are six functions the skeletal system preforms. The first function is support for the softer tissues and provides points of attachment for most skeletal muscles. The second function is mechanical protection for many internal organs, decreasing the risk of injury. For example: the cranial bones protect the brain. The third function is assisting in movement. When the muscles attached to the bone contract, they move the bone. The fourth function is storing several minerals and when needed the bone releases the minerals into the blood. Major minerals, like calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and sulfur, are found in our body in amounts larger than 5 grams. Trace minerals, like chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc, are found in our body in amounts less than 5 grams. (Embar, 2005) The fifth function is the production of red and white blood cells and platelets. The sixth function is the storage of adipose cells which are an important source of chemical energy. While there are many skeletal diseases people develop at various times in life some require frequent doctor’s visits and the others only need a doctor’s attention as they appear. One of the most scary and heart wrenching skeletal diseases is spina bifida. At birth it is detected due to the spinal cord not growing properly which causes the vertebrae and skin to become incapable of shaping themselves around it. This happens in the womb and can be caused by alcoholism, taking excessive medications or over

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