The human skeletal system is made up of all the bones in the human skeleton and serves as the body’s support structure. The skeletal system provides support for the body and protects internal organs and nervous system components such as the brain and spinal column. The tiny bones in the human ear are crucial to our ability to hear. Muscles, which allow movement of various parts of the body, and marrow, which fills the cavities in the larger bones and produces the majority of the body’s blood cells, are also attached to the skeletal system. x000D_
The number of bones in the human body varies from person to person, but most mature humans have 206 bones on average. Certain bones, particularly those of the skull, are still not fully formed in infants, who have as many as 270 total bones when they are born, and many bones grow together as children grow to adulthood. Cartilage is the connective tissue that connects bones and cushions joints. While not bone, this firm, tough, and flexible material is considered a part of the human skeletal system. x000D_
For classification purposes, the bones of the human body are divided into groups. The skull, vertebrae, sternum, and ribs make up the core or central group of bones. The rest of the bones are referred to as appendicular bones. Other bones are frequently divided into small subgroups by physicians and those who study human anatomy. The thoracic bones, for example, are the vertebrae, ribs, and sternum; the vertebral column is made up of the vertebrae; and the upper limb bones, which include the shoulder blades and collar bones, are the bones of the arms.
The human skeletal system serves a variety of purposes in addition to its primary functions of support, protection, and blood cell production. It produces lymphocytes and aids in the regulation of lymphatic fluid flow. The marrow tissues are also involved in the production of hormones that influence how our bodies use insulin. They also store and aid in the regulation of other hormones, particularly those related to human growth. Marrow tissues can store excess fatty acids in addition to producing blood cells.