Our bodies are so incredibly amazing aren’t they? Stop and think about it. Just how we are able to move alone is fascinating. At birth we had about 300 bones to start with. Some of these then fused together to form the 206 bones that we have in our body by the time adulthood is reached.
The bones are made up of surfaces or layers. The first or outer surface of the bone is known as the periosteum. Within the periosteum lie blood vessels and nerves. The layer following the periosteum is the compact bone. The compact bone is hard and smooth. Inside the compact bone are numerous layers of cancellous bone. Hard, but not as hard as the compact bone, the cancellous bone is spongy. The purpose of the cancellous bone is to protect the marrow of the bone, which lies in the innermost are of the bone. The bone marrow is made up of a jelly-like consistency and it is responsible for manufacturing blood cells.
Your skull bones protect your brain. Additionally, there are the facial bones and even bones inside your ear. The stirrup bone in the ear is the smallest bone in your entire body.
The spinal column or vertebral column is made up of 26 bones that protect your spinal cord. This is highly important as the nerves in the spinal cord carry messages from your brain to the other parts of your body allowing them to function correctly. The bones in this area are ring-shaped. They are made up of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae. Each one of these has their own function to serve the body. Below the lumbar vertebrae are the sacrum and then the coccyx.
Your rib cage is just what it sounds like…a cage to protect your vital organs, namely the heart, the liver, and your lungs. Your body has 12 pair of ribs that make up the rib cage. They are attached to the spine in the back. The rib cage is held into place here and in the front of your chest, your sternum is the holder.
Moving down the body you will find your scapula, which are the shoulder blades. The bones of your arm, known as the humerus, the radius, and the ulna. Your finger bones are known as the phalanges.
Your pelvis is a circle of bones that your spine sits upon. The pelvis contains the hip bones. Finally, there are the bones of the leg. These are the femur, your body’s longest bone. The patella is known as the kneecap. The tibia and fibula are in the area of the calf. The ankle and intricate toe bones, also called phalanges, follow and these are especially important for your balance. If you are even missing one toe your balance will be disturbed. Not too many people are fond of feet, but they are extremely important to us.
This song will explain it all. Does anyone remember “Dem Bones” from science class?
http://www.brownielocks.com/dembones.html
Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health.