The Human Skeleton
The human skeleton consists of 206 bones. We are actually born with more bones (about 300), but many join together as we grow up.
Bones:
- Red blood cells are made in our bones
- Bones contain a lot of calcium (a substance found a lot in milk and cheese).
- The longest bone in our bodies is the femur (thigh bone).
- The smallest bone is the stirrup bone inside the ear.
The skeleton
protects the organs in the body.
supports parts of the body
Helps us move by providing a framework for the muscles and tendons to join to.
Some bones it is useful to know
| Bone | Use |
| Skull | Protects the brain |
| Spine | Supports the head |
| Spine | Protects the spinal cord (a nerve that runs from the brain down the centre of the backbone |
| Femur (thigh bone) | Supports the body |
| Ribs | Protects the lungs |
Muscles
The muscles hold the skeleton in place and allows movement
Muscles, Tendons, and ligaments
Muscles can contract (get smaller)
Muscles are joined to bones by tendons
Ligaments hold bones together
Muscles can only pull, they cannot push
This is why they nearly always work in pairs
When one muscle contracts (gets shorter) the other relaxes so can get longer
