The Skeletal System

The Skeletal System

Introduction to the Skeletal System:

The adult human skeleton contains 206 bones that a held together by a series of tendons and ligaments. The basic/main functions of the skeletal system are support, movement, blood cell production, protection, chemical storage and regulation.  The whole system together has two main parts. The appendicular and the axial skeletons. Also, within the skeleton there are two main types of bones. Flat bones and Long bones. 

Common Misconceptions ( Stupid Misconceptions I Had in Middle School):

Some common misconceptions are that the bones are just sticks inside the body and there are no veins or arteries going inside them. All bones are very much alive. Tiny blood vessels and nerves are run all around them and inside of them. They are overall very complex and very fragile. This is where my system comes in. The cardiovascular system is basically the blood system. The blood vessels are a way to transport the necessary nutrients needed to all parts of the body and the bones just so happen to create and store some of those nutrients.

The Appendicular Skeleton:

The appendicular skeleton has a total of 126 bones. Those 126 bones include the upper limbs, lower limbs, and girdles. Those bones are mostly used for balance and movement. The pelvic girdle protects the reproductive organs along with the excretion organs. 

The Axial Skeleton:

The Axial Skeleton has 80 bones in it. Those bones include the skull, vertebral column and the rib cage. Like the appendicular skeleton, the axial bones also protect vital organs. The rib cage protects mostly the lungs, heart and wind pipe. The skull protects the brain and the eyes, The vertebral column, in a way, protects the spinal cord. It also helps with flexibility. 

Disease(s): Leukemia 

Leukemia is a cancer that affects white blood cells and the tissue that makes them. All blood cells are made from the same bone marrow, which is found in most bones. When an individual gets leukemia, their body starts producing abnormal white blood cells. This is where both the skeletal and cardiovascular system intertwine. There are many ways to treat leukemia including: 

    

    -chemotherapy 

    -targeted therapy

    -biological therapy 

    -radiation therapy

    - stem cell transplant

These treatments are based on your conditions and overall health at the time of diagnosis. 

  

This is how blood cells are made in the bone marrow. They start off as stem cells and divide into these types of cells. 

Citations: 

"Skeletal." System Anatomy, Diagram & Function. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/skeletal-system>.

"Leukemia Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What Is Leukemia? - MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2014. <http://www.medicinenet.com/leukemia/page2.htm#what_is_leukemia>.

Zimmermann, Kim Ann. "Skeletal System: Facts, Function & Diseases." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 20 Aug. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2014. <http://www.livescience.com/22537-skeletal-system.html>.