The skeleton is the internal framework of the body that forms the supporting structure of an organism. The human skeleton performs six major functions; support, movement, protection, production of blood cells, storage of minerals, and endocrine regulation. The study of human bones probably started in ancient Greece under Ptolemaic kings due to their link to Egypt. Herophilos, through his work by studying dissected human corpses in Alexandria is credited to be the pioneer of the field. His works are lost but are often cited by notable persons in the field such as Galen and Rufus of Ephesus. Here are some facts about human skeleton, you may not know before.
- The bones of the skeleton grow continually from birth to about age 20 or 25. Broken bones regrow until the broken ends come together.
- Although bones appear very hard, under the surface they are more like sponges, with lots of air. This makes bones very strong, but very light.
- The spine provides support for the entire upper body and also protects the spinal cord. It runs down the center of the back, allows the body to bend forward, backward, side to side, and rotate to each side.
- The ribs, which are in your chest, give support for your lungs, heart, and upper body muscles. One of the biggest jobs the ribs have is to protect the heart and lungs, and also the kidneys.
- The skull is made up of different bones which grow together during childhood. It contains the brain and protects it. It has places for the eyes, and the ears, and only has one moving part which is the lower jaw bone, called the mandible.
- The hands are made up of many different bones which allow a huge variety of movement. In fact, between the hands, wrists, and fingers, there are 54 bones.
- The longest bone in the body is called the femur, which connects the pelvis to the knee.
- The smallest bone in the body is in the middle ear. It is only 0.1 to 0.13 inches long.
- Bones are broken down and remade constantly, just like skin. In fact, all of the bones are slowly replaced until they are new bone once every 7 years.
- The insides of some bones contain special material called bone marrow. Bone marrow has lots of cells which make red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen all over the body. Every second, bone marrow produces two million red blood cells.
- There are some small differences in male and female skeleton. In general, female skeletal elements tend to be smaller and less robust than corresponding male elements within a given population.
