The skeletal system protects the organs and allows human locomotion.
A system is a set of elements that develop interactions and remain interrelated with each other. As for the term bone , we can say that it refers to what is linked to bones (the rigid structures that make up the skeleton of vertebrate animals).
The notion of skeletal system , therefore, refers to the set of bones that make up the skeleton . The human being has a skeletal system made up of 206 bones that grow and develop in childhood and adolescence. Thanks to these bones, people can stand and move.
Function of the skeletal system
The function of a skeletal system, thus, is to support the body, allow locomotion, and protect organs. The bones that make up the system are joined together through joints and are composed of a class of cells known as osteocytes . Cartilage , for its part, allows the bones not to come together.
In the case of humans, it is common for the skeletal system to be divided into two sectors for study: the axial skeleton (formed by the bones that are located in the axis and are responsible for supporting the body weight and providing protection to the organs) and the appendicular skeleton (the other bones).
All mammals have an internal bone system ; that is, with an endoskeleton . The bones in these species are found inside the body. Arthropods, on the other hand, have an external bone system or exoskeleton : their hard parts are outside the body and protect the organs that are inside the organism.
The skeletal system can be affected by various diseases.
Diseases and disorders that can affect you
Although the skeletal system is strong and resistant, and in fact we consider it the part of our body that keeps us standing and the most difficult to damage, it is also living tissue, just as much as the skin, which is why it is susceptible to disorders that affect both their physiology and anatomy. It only takes a problem that affects the speed at which bone cells regenerate, their growth or their rigidity, among other properties, for their functionality to be compromised.
Unfortunately, there are many diseases that can affect the human bone system. One of the most common is osteoporosis , which causes an increase in the rate at which bone mass is lost with respect to its regeneration. This leads to a reduction in density , the consequence of which is the weakening of the bones.
This disease especially affects elderly people, especially women who are in the postmenopausal phase. Given the loss of density and strength in the bones, breaks from minor blows and falls become very common, which would not affect a young and healthy individual at all. The hip, spine and wrist are the most worrying areas.
To treat osteoporosis, certain bone-strengthening medications are usually administered. However, as in almost all cases, the best thing is to prevent its appearance, and for that we must lead a healthy life during our youth, consuming vitamin D and calcium , in addition to doing physical exercise to reach old age with a strong bone system. .
Cancer in the skeletal system
On the other hand, bone cancer is one of the least common diseases in this context, since it is not even among the first twenty. However, since it is one of the worst cancers, doctors try to detect it early to start treatment as soon as possible.
In most cases, the cause of this disorder is not known, but some of them are inherited.