Musculoskeletal System

What we will cover

• what is the musculoskeletal system?

• function of the musculoskeletal system​

• important parts

What is the musculoskeletal system?

A body system that encompasses all the muscles and bones in ​a body.

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Each organism has very different muscle and bone structures, this is dependent on their movement requirements ​

Bones / skeletal system

• 206 bones (adult body)

• ​main functions are support, protection, muscle attachment, mineral storage, and produces blood cells

• can be broken up into separate parts of the body ​

​Types of joints

Cartilage, tendons, ligaments

The connection between bones and muscles:

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Cartilage

• ​cushion between a joint

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Ligaments

• attaches bone to bone ​

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Tendons

• attaches bones to muscle ​

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Muscles

• ​main function is movement

• this movement could be moving around whilst playing sport, digestion, smiling, sleeping etc.

• muscles work by contracting and relaxing

  • contract = muscles shorten and thicken

  • relax = muscles become longer and thinner

• many muscles work in pairs to coordinate movement

  • one contracts and the other relaxes ​

​Types of muscle

​Skeletal

• attaches to bone and allows movement

• striated (looks striped) to allow for contracting and relaxing ​

Smooth

• ​located inside structures e.g. inside the digestive tract

• contract in waves

• involuntary

​Cardiac

• muscles specific to the heart ​

• involuntary​