The Skeleton

The skeleton of an adult human consists of more than 200 bones. Bones are rigid and flexible at the same time in order to carry a large amount of weight. Bone metabolism is slow, so bones heal slowly, this is why a broken bone takes at least 6 weeks to heal.

As our bodies become older, the calcium content
and mass of bones are gradually reduced, leading to
an increased risk of pathologic and spontaneous fractures among the elderly. To avoid osteoporosis,
we must consume enough calcium (recommended daily intake for young people is 1500 milligrams)
and exercise regularly from a young age.

The human skeleton is composed of various shaped bones. The more than 200 bones that form the adult skeleton can be grouped into the bones of the skull, the trunk and the limbs.

Most bones are connected by joints and ligaments, which allow the bones to move relative to each other. Some bones, however, are connected by sutures which are non-moveable bone articulations. Bones of the skull are joined this way.

Chest

The ribcage, the sternum and
the spinal column together form the skeleton of chest, in which the heart and the lungs are located.

Bony pelvis

The sacrum, coccyx and the hip bones
are fused together to form the pelvis, which connects the spine with the lower limbs. In women, the pelvis is usually
wider than in men.

Did you know?

Babies are born with about 300 bones. Some of these fuse during our development, and by the time we reach adulthood, we only have about 200 bones.

The longest, largest human bone is the femur, or thigh bone. Together, the two femurs account for about a quarter of the mass of the entire skeleton. Our smallest bones are the ossicles, located in our ears. The hammer, anvil and stirrup only measure about 3 mm in length.

Skull

It consists of bones of various shapes. The human skull has two parts:
the neurocranium, which holds the brain, and the facial skeleton.

Bones of the lower limbs

The bones of the lower limbs are
con­nected to the trunk by the pelvis.

Bones
of the upper limbs

The bones of the upper limbs form the pectoral girdle and the arms.