Skeletal System

Let’s talk about support for you, your students, and the human body. Humans have an internal skeleton that consists of 206 bones and cartilage and connective tissue in the form of ligaments and tendons that connect bones and muscles to bone. The skeleton provides support for the body, protects organs and soft tissue, and facilitates motion. Additionally, bones store minerals and some bones produce blood cells. Bone tissue is categorized based on structure into compact bone and spongy bone.­­­

Use the Skeletal System infographic for a compact and visual summary of key skeletal system information.

Download: Human Body: Skeletal System infographic

Often students don’t integrate the roles the muscular system and skeletal system play in facilitating motion. It’s really an engineering problem to determine the opposing forces needed to contract and relax muscle pairs that move bones. To lend support to your teaching, we have a simple, free activity illustrating the relationship between the skeletal and musculature systems that also gives students some insight into the field of biomechanical engineering.

Flex and Extend: Modeling a Human Hand

For more extensive study on skeletal and muscular system interactions take a look at Interactions of Muscles and Bones Kit in which students investigate the biophysics of the elbow and arm.

Anatomical models are a great way to support students as they study and review the skeletal system. We have a variety of model human skeletons in various sizes, but the best is a life size model. It provides students the perspective they need to relate structure to function. When instruction turns to injury and pathology, detailed models of joints with connective tissue help students visualize how and why injuries can happen. At the microscopic level, bone models and prepared microscope slides illustrate the complexities of bone structure. A study of the skeletal system can be so much more than just memorizing the names of bones in a chart. Engage your students with a wide variety of activities and experiences.