HOW DOES  OUR SKELETON KEEP US HEALTHY?

 The human skeletal system contributes to the overall health of the body by providing protection, structural support, movement, mineral and chemical storage, and blood cell and platelet production

Support   
The main job of the skeleton is to provide support for our body. Without your skeleton your body would collapse into a heap. Your skeleton is strong but light. Without bones you'd be just a puddle of skin and guts on the floor.

Protection
Your skeleton also helps protect your internal organs and fragile body tissues. The brain, eyes, heart, lungs and spinal cord are all protected by your skeleton. Your cranium (skull) protects your brain and eyes, the ribs protect your heart and lungs and your vertebrae (spine, backbones) protect your spinal cord.

Movement
Bones provide the structure for muscles to attach so that our bodies are able to move. Tendons are tough inelastic bands that attach muscle to bone. The body's joints also allow us to move and the structure of each joint is matched with it's function.  Because joints are specialized, they can allow a greater range of movement, stability, or support for nearby tissue.  The shoulder joint, for example, allows a significant amount of motion and is a ball and socket joint. The skull, however, is a fixed joint and cannot move at all, which allows the skull to serve as a protective shield for the brain.

Mineral and Chemical Storage
Bones store most of the body's calcium, phosphorous, and other essential minerals such as potassium, iron, and boron. However, the bones cannot absorb these minerals if there is not enough vitamin D in a person's diet.

Blood Cell and Platelet Production
One vital function of the skeletal system is the production of red and white blood cells. These cells are formed and stored in the marrow of the bone. Red Marrow consists of a mixture of blood cells and platelets and the stem cells that produce them. About 175 billion red blood cells are released as needed and produced everyday.
















Who has more bones a baby or an adult?
Babies have more than adults! At birth, you have about 300 bones. As you grow older, small bones join together to make big ones. Adults end up with about 206 bones.

Are bones alive?
Absolutely. Old bones are dead, dry and brittle. But in the body, bones are very much alive. They have their own nerves and blood vessels, and they do various jobs, such as storing body minerals like calcium. Bones are made of a mix of hard stuff that gives them strength and tons of living cells which help them grow and repair themselves.
What is a bone made of?
A typical bone has an outer layer of hard or compact bone, which is very strong, dense and tough. Inside this is a layer of spongy bone, which is like honeycomb, lighter and slightly flexible. In the middle of some bones is jelly-like bone marrow, where new cells are constantly being produced for the blood. Calcium is an important mineral that bone cells need to stay strong so keep drinking that low-fat milk!

How do bones break and heal?
Bones are tough and usually don't break even when we have some pretty bad falls. I'm sure you have broken a big stick at one time. When you first try to break the stick it bends a bit but with enough force the stick finally snaps. It is the same with your bones. Bones will bend a little, but if you fall the wrong way from some playground equipment or maybe your bike or skateboard you can break a bone. Doctors call a broken bone a fracture. There are many different types of fractures.
Luckily, bones are made of living cells. When a bone is broken your bone will produce lots of new cells to rebuild the bone. These cells cover both ends of the broken part of the bone and close up the break.

How do I keep my bones healthy?
Bones need regular exercise to stay as strong as possible. Walking, jogging, running and other physical activities are important in keeping your bones strong and healthy. Riding your bike, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, baseball, dancing, skateboarding and other activities are all good for your bones. Make sure you wear or use the proper equipment like a helmet, kneepads, shin guards, mats, knee pads, etc... to keep those bones safe. Strengthen your skeleton by drinking milk and eating other dairy products (like low-fat cheese, frozen yogurt, and ice cream). They all contain calcium, which helps bones harden and become strong.
        
   

•     Ribs give shape to the chest and support and protect the body's major organs, such as the heart and lungs. The rib cage, formed by the ribs and sternum, also provides attachment points for connective tissue, to help hold organs in place.
• The eight bones of the cranium are thin and flat. Interlocking at their joints, they are immovable. The frontal bone forms the forehead and the upper part of the eye sockets. The two parietal bones form the sides and upper portion of the cranium.
• The skull rests atop of the vertabrael column, which encloses the spinal cord. Also called the spine or backbone, the vertebral column protects the spinal cord and helps to support the weight of the body, transmitting that wieght to the lower limbs.