THE 4 FUNCTIONS
1. Shape
2.Support
3.Movement
4. Protection
ANIMAL SKELETAL SYSTEM
Functions
1.The first function of the skeletal system is shape. The bones
help with the shape of the body and will change as an
animal continues to grow.
2. Support is the next function of the skeletal system. Certain
bones have hollow shapes to hold organs in place and other
bones support the body by being strong enough to keep an
animal from falling down.
3. Movement is also an important part of the skeletal system.
The bones attach to ligaments and tendons attach the
muscles to the bones. All of these working together is called
the musculoskeletal system and they allow the body to
move.
4. Protection is the final function. The bones help organs from
being damaged in the case of a fall or being attacked. Bones
are strong enough to withstand a fall and will protect all
vital organs.
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ANIMAL SKELETAL SYSTEM
Major Parts
The bones protect the body and
can withstand tremendous
amounts of impact. For example a
horses leg can withstand the
weight of 1500 pounds while galloping at 30 mph.
Cartilage is tissue meant to connect bones together. It works
as a way to reduce friction between joints and allows for move-
ment of the bones.
The propose of ligaments is to connect bone to bone. They are
found on every joint of the body. They protect the joints and
also limit how much a joint can move in each way.
Tendons are much like ligaments but instead of bone to bone
they connect bones to muscles. The main purpose is to trans-
fer force between muscles and bones.
Joints are formed where two bones meet. There are three
types of joints. Most of them move freely, some are semi-
moveable, and few have no movement.
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ANIMAL SKELETAL SYSTEM
Different Parts of Bones
A compact bone is one of the two types of tissues that forms
bones. It’s main function is to support the body and protect or-
gans. Compact bones make up 80% of the bodies bones.
A spongey bone is the second type of tissue which makes up
the bones. It is much less dense than a compact bone which
makes it softer, weaker, and more flexible.
Red and yellow marrow is a flexible tissue inside of a bone.
Red marrow consists of red and white blood cells. Yellow mar-
row is found in the hollow parts of bones.
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ANIMAL SKELETAL SYSTEM
Types of Joints
There are three types of main joints. Fibrous, cartilaginous,
and synovial. Within the synovial group there are five more
types of joints.
Fibrous joints are immovable. They are held together by
strong connective tissue. An example of a fibrous joint is the
skull.
Cartilaginous joints have a limited amount of movement. An
example would be the hip bone.
Synovial joints have free movement. These joints reduce fric-
tion and help with movement. There are five types of synovial
joints; ball-and-socket, hinge, gliding, pivot, and compound
joints.
Ball-and-socket joints are when a round headed bone fits into
a hollow socket. An example is a is shoulder joint.
Hinge joints make movement possible on one plane. Knee and
elbow joints are two examples.
Gliding joints are be-
tween two flat surfaces
and slide over one an-
other. There is a limited
amount of movement
like in the wrist.
Pivot joints are a boney ring that rotates around another bone.
An example is the head being able to turn side to side.
Compound joints are made up of several joints between a num-
ber of bones. There is a variety of movement and nodding the
head is an example.
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