The skeletal system is the body's internal framework of bones and joints that provides support and protection for the body's soft tissues.
Here are some facts about the skeletal system:
Bones
The human skeleton has around 270 bones at birth, but this number decreases to around 206 bones in adulthood as some bones fuse together.
Structure
The skeletal system is made up of two main divisions: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.
Function
The skeletal system has many functions, including:
Support: The skeleton acts as a scaffold to support the body's soft tissues.
Protection: The skeleton protects the body's internal organs.
Movement: The skeleton provides attachment points for muscles, allowing movement at the joints.
Blood cell production: The red bone marrow inside bones produces new blood cells.
Storage: Bones store calcium, iron, and energy in the form of fat.
Growth
The skeleton grows throughout childhood, providing a framework for the rest of the body to grow along with it.
Some common disorders that affect the skeletal system include:
Osteoporosis: A disease that causes bones to become weak and more likely to fracture.
Scoliosis: A sideways curvature of the spine that's most often diagnosed in adolescents.
Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in and around the joints, which can damage the skeletal system.
Sprain: An injury to the ligaments that connect two bones together in a joint.
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