Skeleton And Its Types

Introduction:

The skeleton is the internal framework of an organism, providing support and structure. Its three main functions are as follows:

Support – Maintains the body’s shape.
Protection – Shields vital organs.
Movement – Serves as an attachment point for muscles, facilitating motion.

Types of Skeleton:

Type of Skeleton	Characteristics	Examples	Additional Point
Endoskeleton	Internal framework made of bones or cartilage.	Humans, vertebrates	Provides structure for muscle attachment.
Exoskeleton	External hard covering, provides support & protection.	Insects, crustaceans	Molting is necessary for growth.
Hydrostatic Skeleton	Fluid-filled cavity, muscles work against it for movement.	Earthworms, jellyfish	Enables soft-bodied animals to maintain shape.

Human Skeleton:

The skeletal system of human is basically made up of two types of skeleton:

Cartilage
Bones

Characteristic	Cartilage	Bones
Composition	Flexible, rubbery connective tissue.	Hard, rigid connective tissue.
Strength	Less dense and not as strong as bones.	Dense and provides structural strength.
Function	Cushions joints, supports nose and ears.	Provides support, protects organs.
Growth	Can grow throughout life, limited growth.	Growth occurs primarily during youth.

Skeleton provides support and movement:

The skeletal system, consisting of bones, cartilage, and joints, provides a framework that supports and shapes the body. It acts as a scaffold for muscles to attach, facilitating movement and enabling activities such as walking, running, and lifting. Additionally, the skeleton protects vital organs, such as the brain and heart, ensuring their safety within the body.

Skeleton system is a dynamic system:

The skeletal system is a dynamic and constantly changing system that undergoes processes like bone remodeling and growth throughout life. It adapts to external stimuli and mechanical stresses by modifying its structure and density. This dynamic nature allows the skeleton to respond to the body’s needs, ensuring optimal support, protection, and mobility.

Model of bone healing occurs in 6 weeks:

• Hematoma Formation:

After a bone fracture, blood vessels are disrupted, leading to bleeding and the formation of a blood clot (hematoma) at the fracture site.

• Fibrocartilaginous Callus Formation:

Fibroblasts invade the hematoma and deposit collagen fibers, creating a fibrocartilaginous callus that stabilizes the fracture site.

• Bony Callus Formation:

Osteoblasts then produce spongy bone trabeculae within the fibrocartilaginous callus, converting it into a bony callus. This stage restores some structural integrity.

• Bone Remodelling:

Over weeks to months, the bony callus undergoes remodeling, as osteoclasts remove excess bone tissue, and osteoblasts build new, compact bone. The final structure closely resembles the original bone.

This four-step process typically occurs over a span of about six weeks during the bone healing process.