13.5: Physiology of the Skeletal System
The primary functions of the skeleton are to provide a rigid, internal structure that can support the weight of the body against the force of gravity, protect internal organs, and move the body with the help of muscles. [1]
Synovial joints provide most of the movement of the body when bones and muscles work together at these joints. Movements created by synovial joints include flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction, and rotation.
Additional information about body movements is found in the “Physiology of the Muscular System” section of the “Muscular System Terminology chapter.
In addition to providing support and movements of the body, the skeleton has protective and storage functions. It protects the internal organs, including the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, and pelvic organs. The bones of the skeleton serve as the primary storage site for important minerals such as calcium and phosphate. Additionally, the bone marrow found within bones stores fat and houses the blood-cell producing tissue of the body. [2]
View a supplementary YouTube video [3] demonstrating movement at synovial joints:
- This work is a derivative of Anatomy and Physiology by OpenStax licensed under CC BY 4.0. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction ↵
- This work is a derivative of Anatomy and Physiology by OpenStax licensed under CC BY 4.0. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction ↵
- RegisteredNurseRN. (2021, June 7). Body movement terms anatomy | Body planes of motion | Synovial joint movement terminology [Video]. YouTube. All rights reserved. Reused with permission. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO4nUzO7xoo ↵