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The Skeletal System Facts & Worksheets

The human skeletal system is the framework of the body and is responsible for iron storage, endocrine regulation, blood cell production, organ protection, support and movement.

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The skeletal system is the primary structure of your body, and it comprises bones and connective tissue, such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It is also known as the musculoskeletal system.

See the fact file below for more information on the human skeletal system or alternatively, you can download our 25-page Skeletal System worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

OVERVIEW

  • The skeletal system is also known as the musculoskeletal system. The human skeletal system comprises the body’s bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, and the skeleton accounts for approximately 20% of a person’s body weight. 
  • Infants have more bones because several of them, including those in the skull, fuse as they grow. 
  • There are specific variances between male and female skeletons as well. Male structures are typically more extended and have a higher bone mass. In contrast, the female form has a larger pelvis to allow pregnancy and delivery. 
  • The skeletal systems, regardless of age or gender, may be divided into two parts: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.

FUNCTIONS

  • The primary purpose of the skeletal system is to support the body, and the spinal column adds support for the torso and head. While standing, the legs back carry the upper body’s weight. The skeletal system serves various purposes, including:
  • They keep internal organs safe from harm. The skull, for example, protects the brain, whereas the thoracic cage guards the heart and lungs.
  • Making room for mobility. Tendons connect muscles to bones, and this link enables the body to move in a variety of ways.
  • Making blood cells. Many bones’ soft bone marrow generates red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
  • Mineral and nutrient storage. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, essential for many body activities, may be stored and released by bones. A portion of the bone marrow also contains adipose (fat) tissue that can be utilized as energy.

ANATOMY

  • An adult’s skeleton is composed of 206 distinct bones, and the axial and appendicular skeleton are the two primary divisions of these bones.

AXIAL SKELETON ANATOMY

  • The axial skeleton runs down the midline of the body and is composed of 80 bones in the following places:

SKULL

  • Except for the mandible, the skull comprises 22 bones that are joined together. These 21 combined bones are separated in children to allow head and brain development but combined in an adult to provide increased strength and protection.
  • The mandible is still a moveable jaw bone that, together with the temporal bone, constitutes the only movable joint in the skull. The cranium is the particular section of the skull’s bones that shields the brain from harm. The facial bones are the bones in the inferior and anterior parts of the head that hold the eyes, nose, and mouth.

HYOID

  • The hyoid bone is a tiny, U-shaped bone located directly below the jaw. The hyoid bone is the only bone in the body that doesn’t have a joint with another bone; it is a floating bone. The function of the hyoid is to keep the trachea exposed and to form a bony linkage for the tongue muscles.

AUDITORY OSSICLES

  • The tiniest bones in the body are called auditory ossicles, consisting of the malleus, incus, and stapes. They are located in the smallest space inside the temporal bone and function to transport and magnify sound from the eardrum to the inner ear.

VERTEBRAL COLUMN

  • The vertebral column consists of 26 bones. The first 24 vertebrae are all vertebras, followed by the sacrum and coccyx (tailbone). The 24 vertebrae are further classified as follows:

– Cervical vertebrae are seven bones in the head and neck.

– Thoracic vertebrae are the 12 bones in the upper back.

– The lumbar vertebrae are the five bones situated in the lower back.

– The sacrum and the coccyx are composed of multiple fused vertebrae, which support the body’s weight when sitting.

THORACIC CAGE

  • The sternum (breastbone) and 12 ribs comprise the thoracic cage. These bones provide a protective cage around the upper thoracic organs, including the heart and lungs.
  • Some ribs are directly attached to the sternum, whereas others are connected to the sternum through cartilage. Some have no connection point and are known as “floating ribs.”

APPENDICULAR SKELETON ANATOMY

  • It comprises the bones that form the arms and legs, along with the bones that connect them to the axial skeleton. It is composed of a total of 126 bones located in the following areas:

PECTORAL GIRDLE AND UPPER LIMB

  • The pectoral girdle, which comprises the left and right clavicles and scapulae, joins the upper arm bones to the axial skeleton.
  • The upper arm bone is known as the humerus, and it connects the scapula to the socket and ball joint of the shoulder and the lower arm bones to the elbow joint.
  • The two bones of the forearm are the radius and ulna. The ulna is on the medial portion of the forearm and makes a hinge joint with the humerus at the elbow. At the wrist joint, the radius permits the forearm and hand to rotate.
  • The lower arm bones make up the wrist joint with the carpal bones, a group of eight small bones that offer added flexibility to the wrist.
  • It is connected to the five metacarpals that create the bones of the hand and attach to each of the fingers.
  • The thumb is the only one that has just two phalanges, while each finger contains three bones identified as phalanges.

PELVIC GIRDLE AND LOWER LIMB

  • Built by the left and right hip bones, the pelvic girdle joins the lower limb (leg) bones to the axial stone.
  • The femur is the most prominent bone in the body and the only bone of the thigh (femoral) area. The femur and the hip bone shape the socket and ball hip joint, and the tibia and patella form the knee joint.
  • The patella, or the kneecap, is unique because it is one of the few bones that does not exist at birth. The patella develops in childhood to stabilize the knee when walking and crawling.
  • The tibia and fibula are our body’s lower leg bones. The tibia is substantially longer than the fibula, extending from the ankle joint to the talus, which is part of the foot’s tarsal bones.
  • The tarsals are a collection of seven bones that constitute the back of the foot and heel. The tarsals create joints with the foot’s five long metatarsals. The metatarsals form a junction with one of the phalanges in the toes. Excluding the big toe, every toe has three phalanges.

COMMON CONDITIONS THAT CAN AFFECT THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

  • Many disorders can damage the skeletal system’s bones, joints, and tissues. Some occur due to illness or injury, while others emerge due to aging, wear and tear. The skeletal system may be affected by the following conditions:
  • Arthritis is a torturous wear down of joints caused by age, injuries, and medical diseases such as Lyme disease.
  • Fracture: A bone can shatter due to stress due to disease, a tumor, or trauma.
  • Osteosarcoma: Bone cancer that causes tumors that can weaken and shatter bones.
  • Osteoporosis: Bone loss due to a lack of calcium can result in frail and brittle bones, known as osteoporosis.
  • Sprains and tears: Connective tissue can overstretch and rip due to age, illness, and trauma.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY SKELETAL SYSTEM

  • The skeletal system sets the base for all of the body’s movement, in addition to other vital duties. To keep it in good operating order, follow these guidelines:
  • Consume calcium-rich foods such as leafy vegetables, broccoli, tofu, and salmon.
  • Receive sufficient vitamin D: Most individuals get plenty of this by spending time outside regularly, but a vitamin D supplement can aid those who live in areas with little sunlight.
  • Carry out weight-bearing workouts such as walking, running, and stair climbing.
  • Wear protection: To prevent bone fractures and other potentially serious injuries, consistently wear protective gear when riding a bike or participating in contact sports.

Skeletal System Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Skeletal System across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Skeletal System worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the human skeletal system, which is the framework of the body and is responsible for iron storage, endocrine regulation, blood cell production, organ protection, support, and movement. It consists of the axial and appendicular skeleton.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Skeletal System Facts
  • Human Skeleton
  • Functions of Skeletal System
  • Types of Joints
  • Types of Bones
  • Human Skull
  • About Human Bones
  • Bone Disease
  • Bone Science
  • Male and Female Bones
  • Bone Care

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the skeletal system?

The skeletal system is the primary structure of your body, and it comprises bones and connective tissue, such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It is also known as the musculoskeletal system.

What is the function of the skeletal system?

The primary purpose of the skeletal system is to support the body, and the spinal column adds support for the torso and head. While standing, the legs back carry the upper body’s weight.

What are the two primary divisions of the bone in our body?

The axial and appendicular skeleton are the two primary divisions of these bones.

How many bones are there in the axial and appendicular skeleton?

The axial skeleton comprises 80 bones, while the appendicular skeleton comprises 126 bones, making it a total of 206 bones.

What is the typical illness in the skeletal system?

The typical illness concerning the skeletal system is Arthritis, which is a torturous wearing down of joints caused by age, injuries, and medical diseases such as Lyme disease.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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