The Musculoskeletal System and Disorders Related
The musculoskeletal system involves the skeleton and muscles working
together with various types of tissue to allow our body to perform various
functions. When there is a disruption to any aspect of this delicate system,
basic functions such as movement or protection are compromised. These
conditions can be acquired or genetic and often cause a domino effect;
this can lead to a continuous decline in health and general well-being if
not treated appropriately.
Structures of the Skeleton
Types of bones:
- Long bones are found in the limbs such as the humerus, ulna and
radius in both the arms, and the femur, fibula and tibia in the legs.
They are made of hard bone, are cylindrical in shape with wider
sections at the ends and are filled with red and yellow marrow.
- Short bones such as the carpals and tarsal in the wrist and ankle
have a similar structure to long bones but are squat.
, - Flat bones are composed of cancellous bone between two thin
layers of cortical bone. They have a flat shape and an example are
the rib bones or the forehead. Flat bones have marrow, but they do
not have a bone marrow cavity.
- Irregular bones such as the vertebrae, sacrum or coccyx vary in
shape and structure. They have complex shapes which helps protect
internal organs; such as the vertebrae protecting the spinal cord.
- Sesamoid bones are small and globe-like such as the patella in the
knee. They are independent, bony nodules enveloped in tendons
that pass over an angular structure.
Composition:
Bones
Bones are made of the protein collagen and calcium phosphate; this
makes the framework hard and strong. Bony tissue is composed of these
four cells: osteocytes, osteoclasts, osteoprogenitor and osteoblasts cells.
Osseous tissue is made up of osteoblast cells and can appear compact or
spongey. Bones also contain blood vessels and nerves.
The diaphysis or shaft of a bone is a hollow tube with walls of strong,
compact bone tissue also called cortical tissue arranged in layers. Cortical
bone contains units called osteons. The outer most layer is called the
periosteum. Some bones can also contain a medullary cavity, also known
as bone marrow. The Epiphysis or ends of the bone, are spongy and
contain softer cancellous bone tissue.
Cartilage
Cartilage is made up of firm, gel-like connective tissue that are on the
epiphysis of every bone with a joint; this protects the bone and prevent
grinding and wearing the bone away. It also functions as shock absorption
, and reduces the risk of bones fracturing or shattering on impact. The
three major types are; Hyaline, Elastic and Fibrocartilage.
Hyaline cartilage is the most common and weakest, it is present in the
joints, the respiratory tract such as in the trachea and also in the
immature skeleton; meaning newly woven bone before it matures and
hardens.
Elastic cartilage, also called yellow fibrocartilage, provides structure and
elasticity. It is present in the outer shell of the ears, and inside the inner
ears.
Fibrous cartilage is the strongest as its structure contains alternating
layers of hyaline cartilage and thick layers of collagen fibres.
Tendons
Tendons attach muscle to bones and are made up of strong fibrous
strands of connective tissue. Fibroblasts are the most common cell type in
connective tissue but some other cells it contains are mast cells, plasma
cells, macrophages, adipocytes, and leukocytes cells.
They are inelastic and cause a movement of bones or joints when the
muscle attached to them contracts. The Achilles is a major tendon that
connects the biventer muscle of the calf to the calcaneus (heel bone).
Ligaments
There are around 900 ligaments and they’re similar to tendons in their
composition, but connect bone to other bones. They comprise of
connective tissue, a protein called collagen and elastic fibres; due to their
high elastin content they are durable. They stabilise the joints and prevent
bones form moving out of place.
Classification and types of joints
A joint is where two bones interconnect and a compromise is made
between mobility and stability. They are classified by their structure:
Fibrous
A fibrous joint is where two bones dovetail together and are held by
fibrous tissue also known as sutures. They are fixed joints and are found in
the cranium. Babies do not have sutures in their skull as the cranial plates
overlap to allow for the head to travel through the birth canal.
Cartilaginous
The musculoskeletal system involves the skeleton and muscles working
together with various types of tissue to allow our body to perform various
functions. When there is a disruption to any aspect of this delicate system,
basic functions such as movement or protection are compromised. These
conditions can be acquired or genetic and often cause a domino effect;
this can lead to a continuous decline in health and general well-being if
not treated appropriately.
Structures of the Skeleton
Types of bones:
- Long bones are found in the limbs such as the humerus, ulna and
radius in both the arms, and the femur, fibula and tibia in the legs.
They are made of hard bone, are cylindrical in shape with wider
sections at the ends and are filled with red and yellow marrow.
- Short bones such as the carpals and tarsal in the wrist and ankle
have a similar structure to long bones but are squat.
, - Flat bones are composed of cancellous bone between two thin
layers of cortical bone. They have a flat shape and an example are
the rib bones or the forehead. Flat bones have marrow, but they do
not have a bone marrow cavity.
- Irregular bones such as the vertebrae, sacrum or coccyx vary in
shape and structure. They have complex shapes which helps protect
internal organs; such as the vertebrae protecting the spinal cord.
- Sesamoid bones are small and globe-like such as the patella in the
knee. They are independent, bony nodules enveloped in tendons
that pass over an angular structure.
Composition:
Bones
Bones are made of the protein collagen and calcium phosphate; this
makes the framework hard and strong. Bony tissue is composed of these
four cells: osteocytes, osteoclasts, osteoprogenitor and osteoblasts cells.
Osseous tissue is made up of osteoblast cells and can appear compact or
spongey. Bones also contain blood vessels and nerves.
The diaphysis or shaft of a bone is a hollow tube with walls of strong,
compact bone tissue also called cortical tissue arranged in layers. Cortical
bone contains units called osteons. The outer most layer is called the
periosteum. Some bones can also contain a medullary cavity, also known
as bone marrow. The Epiphysis or ends of the bone, are spongy and
contain softer cancellous bone tissue.
Cartilage
Cartilage is made up of firm, gel-like connective tissue that are on the
epiphysis of every bone with a joint; this protects the bone and prevent
grinding and wearing the bone away. It also functions as shock absorption
, and reduces the risk of bones fracturing or shattering on impact. The
three major types are; Hyaline, Elastic and Fibrocartilage.
Hyaline cartilage is the most common and weakest, it is present in the
joints, the respiratory tract such as in the trachea and also in the
immature skeleton; meaning newly woven bone before it matures and
hardens.
Elastic cartilage, also called yellow fibrocartilage, provides structure and
elasticity. It is present in the outer shell of the ears, and inside the inner
ears.
Fibrous cartilage is the strongest as its structure contains alternating
layers of hyaline cartilage and thick layers of collagen fibres.
Tendons
Tendons attach muscle to bones and are made up of strong fibrous
strands of connective tissue. Fibroblasts are the most common cell type in
connective tissue but some other cells it contains are mast cells, plasma
cells, macrophages, adipocytes, and leukocytes cells.
They are inelastic and cause a movement of bones or joints when the
muscle attached to them contracts. The Achilles is a major tendon that
connects the biventer muscle of the calf to the calcaneus (heel bone).
Ligaments
There are around 900 ligaments and they’re similar to tendons in their
composition, but connect bone to other bones. They comprise of
connective tissue, a protein called collagen and elastic fibres; due to their
high elastin content they are durable. They stabilise the joints and prevent
bones form moving out of place.
Classification and types of joints
A joint is where two bones interconnect and a compromise is made
between mobility and stability. They are classified by their structure:
Fibrous
A fibrous joint is where two bones dovetail together and are held by
fibrous tissue also known as sutures. They are fixed joints and are found in
the cranium. Babies do not have sutures in their skull as the cranial plates
overlap to allow for the head to travel through the birth canal.
Cartilaginous
