The Skeleton

By M. Burton. Bettws High School, Newport

KS 3 Science

Bones of the

human skeletonYou do not

have to learn the names of all of the bones in

the human body !

Functions of the skeleton

Support – Your bones give your body its overall shape.

Movement – Along with your muscles they allow us to move.

Protection – Some bones protect vital organs such as the brain, heart

and lungs

What is a joint ?

A joint is the point where 2 or more

bones come together.

Types of joint

There are many different types of joint in the human

body – we will only consider 3 of them !

Fixed Joints

Is the skull just one bone ?

Fixed JointsThe skull is made of 22 bones !

14 of these are in the face !

The bones of your skull are

joined together and cannot

move (except the lower jaw).

Hinge Joints

The elbow joint

Allows the arm to bend

in one direction

Hinge Joints

The knee is another type of hinge joint

Ball and Socket Joints

The hip joint

Allows rotation in

all directions

Ball and Socket Joints

Hip

Can you see another ball and socket

joint ?

Shoulder

Types of Joints - Summary

Copy and fill in this

summary table

Types of Joints - Summary

Type of joint Example Type of movement

Fixed

Hinge

Ball and socket

Skull None

Knee and elbow

Bend in one direction

Shoulder and Hip

Rotation in all directions

Synovial Joints

Most joints that allow movement contain liquid and have a similar

structure

They are called synovial joints and they are full of synovial

fluid

Synovial Joint Structure

ligament

ligament

Femur (leg

bone)

Synovial membran

e

Synovial fluid

Cartilage

Parts of a Synovial Joint

Ligaments – hold bones in place preventing dislocation

Synovial fluid – reduces friction as the bones slide across one another

Synovial membrane – produces and encases the synovial fluid

Cartilage – acts as a shock absorber to protect the ends of the bones