Musculoskeletal System of Humans

 
14.2

Musculoskeletal System of Humans

 
 
 
  • Human skeleton 
 
  • The human skeletal structure is categorised into two 
    1. Axial skeleton (Skull, ribcage, & vertebral column)
    2. Appendicular skeleton (Pectoral girdle, upper limb, pelvic girdle, & lower limb) 
 
 

1. Axial skeleton 

 
 
  • Skull 
    • Skulls are made up of flat bones joined by sutures (immovable joints).
    • Skull is the framework of the face and support the teeth.
    • The lower jaw (mandible) is movable and allow mouth opening and closing.
    • The cranium protects the brain.
 
  • Ribcage (Sternum & ribs)
    • 12 pairs of ribs articulate with the sternum and thoracic vertebrae.
    • Ribs and sternum form a cage to protect the heart and lungs.
    • The sternum is a flattened, narrow bone and ribs are curved bones.
 
  • Vertebral column
    • Consist of 33 vertebrae attached to form a strong & flexible column. There are 5 types of vertebrae.
    • It protects the spinal cord, support the head, provides a base for back muscle attachment and provides an articulating surface for ribs and pelvic girdle.
 
Characteristics of cervical vertebrae:
 
Vertebra Characteristics and functions
Atlas (1)
  • Has large neural canal
  • No centrum
  • Has two transverse foramina - allow arterioles to pass through brain
  • Support the skull
Axis (1)
  • Odontoid process extends into ventral part of the neural canal of atlas and acts as pivot to allow the head to move side-to-side
  • Has two transverse foramina
  • Side-to-side head movement
Cervical (7)
  • Broad and short transverse process
  • Broad centrum
  • Has two transverse foramina
  • Support head and neck
  • Attachment for neck muscles
  • Has a short spinous process
Thoracic (12)
  • Has long spinous process which points backwards
  • Support rib bones to form the rib cage and provide surface for attachment of muscles to the transverse process and centrum
  • Muscle attachment to support head and neck
  • Large and thick centrum
  • Long transverse process
Lumbar (5)
  • The largest and strongest vertebra in the vertebral column
  • Large and thick centrum
  • Transverse process is long and flat
  • Spinous process is short
  • The large centrum supports the weight of the lower back
Sacrum (5) and caudal (4)
  • Five bones fused together forming a broad
  • Coccyx is formed by fusion of four vetebrae bones
  • Balances and supports sitting position
 
Types of vertebrae Cervical vertebrae
Spinous process Short
Transverse process Broad and short
Centrum Small
Transverse foramen Has a pair of transverse foramen
 
Types of vertebrae Thoracic vertebrae
Spinous process Long 
Transverse process Long
Centrum Medium size
Transverse foramen Absent
 
Types of vertebrae Lumbar vertebrae
Spinous process Short
Transverse process Short
Centrum Large
Transverse foramen Absent
 

Joint:

  1. Movements of human limbs can be done by:
  • The presence of joints in which two or more bones meet
  • The actions between skeletal muscles and bones
 
Types of joint Characteristic  Examples
Immovable joints
  • Bone attached together by fibrous connective tissue 
  • No movement is allowed 
  • These joints are categorised as sutures
Joints in skull & pelvic girdle 
Slightly movable joints
  • Bone attached together by cartilage 
  • Movements are limited
The joint between vertebrae & between ribs and sternum
Freely moveable joints 
  • Bones joint together with synovial fluid 
  • Movement in one plane or all planes
  • These joints are known as synovial joints
Hinge joints & ball-and-socket joints
 
  • Role of muscles, ligament, tendon and joint in movement.
 
  • Tendon - Joint muscle to bones.
  • Ligament - Joint the bone to bone
  • Synovial membrane - secretes the synovial fluid
  • Synovial fluid - Lubricate the joint and reduce the friction between bones. It also nourishes the cartilage.
    • Cartilage - Absorbs shock and protect the bone.
 
Tendon
  • Characteristics: 
    • Not elastic 
    • Strong 
    • Connective tissue
  • Function 
    • Joins muscle to bones
    • Transmits pulling force exerted by contraction of muscles to the bone and pull it up
Ligament
  • Characteristics 
    • Elastic 
    • Strong 
    • Connective tissue 
    • Flexible 
  • Functions:
    • Join bone to bone 
    • Hold joints together 
    • Prevent dislocation 
    • Allow limited movement 
Muscle
  • Characteristic
    • A pair of muscles that work together 
    • When contracts, the other relaxes 
    • Examples: Biceps and triceps of the arm
  • Functions: 
    • Exert pulling force onto bone 
    • Support movement and locomotion