Muscles: 600
Bones: 206
Skin: 2 square meters
How can Naturopathy support them all?
Balanced Diet. Exercise. Hydration.
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BONES: SKELETAL SYSTEM:
Bone is a dynamic, living tissue made up of a combination of hard and soft components. The hard exterior, the cortical bone, is dense and smooth. It offers the primary structural support. The inner part, the trabecular bone, resembles a sponge with its network of tiny plates and rods. This part is involved in metabolic activities due to its high surface area.
Microscopically, bone is composed of collagen, a protein that provides a soft framework, and hydroxyapatite, a hard, mineralized form of calcium phosphate that strengthens that framework. These two elements work in tandem to make bones strong yet flexible.
Table: Comparison of Axial and Appendicular Skeletons
| Axial Skeleton | Appendicular Skeleton |
Components | Skull, Vertebral column, Thoracic cage | Upper and lower limbs, Shoulder girdle, Pelvic girdle |
Number of Bones | Eighty | One Hundred Twenty Six |
Primary Function | Protect vital organs, Support central structure | Facilitate movement, Support body’s weight |
Long Bones: The Sturdy Levers: the femur and humerus work. They’re longer than they are wide, acting as sturdy levers that help us move. Their hollow, cylindrical structure, wrapped in a hard outer layer, makes them lightweight yet strong. : allows us to walk, run, and dance without breaking a sweat.
Short Bones: The The Craftsmen of Dexterity: the shape of short bones like the carpal bones in the wrist and the tarsal bones in the ankle. Their cube-like form provides stability and flexibility, enabling a wide range of movements. compact yet complex bones, allow us to strum a guitar, create a masterpiece with a paintbrush, or even hit the perfect high five. It’s these skilled craftsmen of dexterity that bring our fine motor skills to life.
Flat Bones: The Protective Shields: like the sternum (thoraisic cage) and the cranial bones of the skull, are like the shields of ancient warriors – thin, flat, and often curved. Their noble mission is to protect our vital organs. Picture them as loyal guards, with the cranial bones shielding the brain, and the sternum and ribs forming a protective cage for the heart and lungs. silent protectors. Offer generous space for muscles to attach, ensuring our body’s movement and stability.
Irregular Bones: The Unique Mavericks: our skeletal system has irregular bones. These bones, including the vertebrae and some facial bones, have shapes and sizes that don’t fit into any standard mold. each one tailored to perform specific functions. The vertebrae, for instance, not only help us move and bear weight but also protect the all-important spinal cord.
Sesamoid Bones: The Tiny Yet Mighty: small and round, nestled within tendons. These tiny bones, including the well-known patella or kneecap, are like hardy shields, protecting tendons from wear and tear. cunning strategists, altering the direction of muscle pull to make our movements more efficient. The patella, for example, boosts the power of the quadriceps tendon, aiding in knee extension.