UNIT 12 THE SKELETAL-MUSCULAR SYSTEM

By Mario Cortijo Pérez.

INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION

2. THE SKELETON

3. BONES OF THE HEAD AND TORSO

4. ARMS AND LEG BONES

5. MUSCLES

6. CONCEPT MAP

1. INTRODUCTION

Our skeleton is made up of bones. Some bones protect important organs in our body, such as

our brain and our lungs. However, the most important function of our bones is to support our

body and give it shape.

Our bones also help us move, but it is our muscles that make the movements.

- How do you keep fit?

- Have you ever had a broken bone?

2. THE SKELETON

The skeleton is made up of bones, joints and cartilage. Its main functions are:

- To support our body and give it shape.

- To help us to move because muscles are connected to our bones.

- To protect our internal organs such as brain, heart and lungs.

A. Bones are the hardest part of our body. They are made of bone tissues, which contain a lot

of minerals. There are different sizes and shapes:

long (femur), short (vertebrae) and flat (scapula).

B. Joints: the point where two bones meet is called a

joint. There are three types:

- Immovable.

- Semi-movable.

- Movable.

C. Cartilage; some part of our body are softer and more flexible than our bones. They are

called cartilage.

- How many types of bones do we have? Write examples.

3. BONES OF THE HEAD AND TORSO The bones of the head form the skull. It has two parts:

- The cranium.( frontal bone, parietal bones, temporal bones and occipital bone)

- Facial bones. (maxillae and mandible)

What is the skull? Name its parts.

*What are our teeth made of? AUDIO

Each tooth is divided into two parts:

- The crown which we can see.

- The root which is fixed into the jaws.

The teeth are made of dentine and it is harder than bone tissue.

The crown is covered with a layer of enamel.

-The bones of the torso are the vertebrae, the ribs and the sternum. The vertebrae are 33 short

bones that form the spinal column or spine. They are divided as it follows:

-The ribcage protects the heart and lungs.

- What´s the function of the ribcage?

- Name the parts of the spine.

4. ARMS AND LEG BONES

BONE AND JOINT INJURIES (AUDIO). - Fractures: when bones are under too much stress it may break. A broken bone is called a

fracture. People with fractures need immediate medical treatment.

- Sprains: A sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint. There are 3 types of sprains.

- Dislocation: a bone forced out of its joint is named dislocation.

- Classify the bones into arm or leg bones:

Tibia,

ulna,

phalanges,

fibula,

patella,

humerus

5. MUSCLES When we contract and relax our muscles, we cause parts of our body to move. Very strong

cords called tendons connect our muscles to our bones.

- What is the function of our muscles?

ARM BONES

LEG BONES

MUSCLES OF THE HUMAN BODY

Copy and complete the table:

Abdominals, biceps, gluteal muscles, deltoids, femoral biceps, trapezius, calf muscles,

pectoral muscles and triceps.

ARM MUSCLES LEG MUSCLES TORSO MUSCLES

6. Concept Map.

Skeleton:

HELP US TO

MOVE

PROTECT

INTERNAL

ORGANS

SUPPORT OUR

BODY

CONSIST

OF

BONES JOINTS

CARTILAGE

Muscles:

MUSCLES

PRODUCE MOVEMENT

BY CONTRACTION

ARE CONNECTED TO

BONES BY TENDONS