What is the skeletal system? What does it do? Why do we need it?

The skeletal system stores minerals, makes blood cells, provides protection for organs, and gives the body its shape and allows movement!

Red blood cells carry oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our bodies. Then they take the carbon dioxide back to our lungs to be exhaled.

Our bones protect our major organs. For example our skull protects the brain and our ribs protect our lungs. Without bones, we would be way more suseptable to damaging important organs

Although they're very light, bones are strong enough to support our entire weight. Bones are what gives us our shape and allows us to walk, run, sit, or pick anything up.

Skull and Jawbone

The skull supports the face and forms a protective cavity for the brain. The skull is formed from several bones are joined together by immovable joints (except the mandible).  The mandible is the bone that forms the lower part of the skull, and along with the upper jaw, forms the mouth structure. Movement of the lower jaw opens and closes the mouth and also allows for the chewing of food.

Sacrum

The sacral bone is very sturdy because it is responsible for supporting the entire weight of your body. The sacrum also acts as a protective shield, enclosing the nerves of the lower back

The coccyx serves as an attachment site for tendons, ligaments, and muscles. It also functions as an insertion point of some of the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Tailbone (Coccyx)

Ribs

The rib cage surrounds the lungs and the heart, serving as an important means of bony protection for these vital organs.In total, the rib cage consists of the 12 thoracic vertebrae and the 24 ribs, in addition to the sternum

Breastbone (Sternum)

Your sternum, along with your ribs, works to protect the organs of your torso, such as your heart, lungs, and chest blood vessels. Support. Your sternum also provides a connection point for other parts of your skeletal system, including your collarbone and most of your ribs.

Shoulder Blade (Scapula)

The shoulder blade is a triangular bone that is a joining force between the clavicle and the humerus. This bone is located on the back half of the body. The scapula plays an important role in stabilizing the other bones involved in the rhythm of shoulder motion.

Collar Bone (Clavicle)

Because of its anatomic shape and position, the clavicle stabilizes the external, upward, and posterior rotation of the scapula during arm movement

Humerus

The humerus serves as an attachment to 13 muscles which contribute to the movements of the hand and elbow, and therefore the function of the upper limb

Radius & Ulna

The main function of the radius, along with the ulna, is to assist with rotation. This rotation allows for the maximal function of the wrist and hand due to the increased range of motion. The sole motion of the elbow joint is flexion and extension

Wrist Bones

The main role of the wrist is the powerful use of the extenders and flexers of the forearm, and the mobility of individual carpal bones increase the freedom of movements at the wrist.

They form a longitudinal arch that accommodates the muscles, tendons, and nerves of the palm. The metacarpals also form a transverse arch that allows the fingertips and thumb to be brought together.

Metacarpal Bones

Phalanges

The phalanges (orange&purple_ are located in the hands and feet. They form the base of fingers and toes and connect them to the rest of the limb. These phalanges also form the knuckles of the hand