Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems Assignment A
THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
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, Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems Assignment A
The Musculoskeletal System
Abstract
According to the National Academies of Sciences (2020), musculoskeletal disorders
refer to a range of conditions (impairments in the muscles, bones, joints, and adjacent connective
tissues) that cause pain and limit an individual's mobility.
Background
This report will discuss disorders that affect the functioning of the musculoskeletal
system, the impact of these disorders on an individual's health, the anatomy and physiology
(A&P) of the affected bones, joints, and muscle groups and some of the corrective methods
associated with these conditions. It will include illustrated explanations of the structure and
organisation of the skeletal system. It will use scientific language and terminology to explain the
normal musculoskeletal A&P that brings about normal movement.
I will study three named musculoskeletal disorders, describing the symptoms a sufferer may
experience, provide detailed descriptions of how normal movement and function is compromised, and
provide an overview of medications and treatments that may be prescribed, and evidenced the scientific
rational for the treatments. I will compare the corrective treatments and the scientific rationale for a
preferred treatment.
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, Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems Assignment A
Introduction
The musculoskeletal system plays a crucial functional role in the human body. It is responsible
for providing support, movement, and protection to the body.
The skeletal system provides a framework for the body and protects vital organs such as
the brain and heart. The muscular system works in conjunction with the skeletal system to
provide movement and stability to the body.
The musculoskeletal system also plays a role in maintaining homeostasis within the body.
The bones store minerals such as calcium, which are essential for various bodily functions. The
muscles help regulate body temperature by generating heat through contraction. However, there
are differences between these two systems. While the skeletal system provides structural support,
the muscular system allows for movement and flexibility. Additionally, while bones are rigid
structures that do not change shape easily, muscles can contract or relax to adjust to different
situations. Overall, both systems work together seamlessly to ensure proper functioning of the
human body. Without either one of them, our bodies would not be able to move or function
properly.
The human skeleton entails highly engineered joints interconnected by the muscular
system. It comprises a framework of levers and stable plates that allow movement in different
directions. In addition, the skeleton integrates functionally with the cardiovascular system,
generating multiple red blood cells within the bone marrow.
The bones are situated near muscular and connective tissue and serve as a solid
foundation for supporting the entire body.
Muscles facilitate movement such as sitting, walking, running, and lifting. are tough
fibres that restrict movements in joints which allow for joint stability.
Tendons function as connectors between muscles and bones made of tough collagen
fibres.
The musculoskeletal system depends on the complex relationship between the separate
structures to perform its normal physiological functions.
Skeletal System Functions
The skeletal system comprises bones and cartilage. Bones are hard, dense connective
tissues that support the body's structure. Cartilages are semi-rigid connective tissues found in
ribcages and joints (where bones move) that provide flexibility and smooth surfaces for
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, Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems Assignment A
movement. The primary functions of the skeletal system include providing support for the body
structure, protection for internal organs, production of red blood cells, facilitating movement, and
maintaining mineral homeostasis (Patton and Thibodeau, 2020). Also, the skeletal system
provides attachment for muscles so that together they form the musculoskeletal system.
Bones function as levers, and joints serve as the fulcrum to allow for muscle contraction,
thus facilitating movement along joints. In terms of protection, bones surround or cover internal
organs, protecting them from injury. For instance, the vertebral column protects the spinal cord,
whereas the cranium (skull) protects the brain from non-traumatic injuries. The bones and
cartilages of the skeletal system provide a scaffold for supporting the entire body; without it, the
body would be a flaccid mass of organs, muscles, and skin (OpenStax College, 2013).
In mineral homeostasis, bone tissues perform multiple essential functions. One is that the
bone tissues are a location for storing a variety of minerals, such as Calcium and phosphorus,
which are crucial to the body's functioning (Patton and Thibodeau, 2020). The minerals are then
released from the bone tissues into the bloodstream to maintain the levels required to sustain
physiological functions. For example, calcium ions are required to help muscles contract and to
control the motion of other ions involved in the propagation of nerve signals. Calcium leaves the
circulation and is transferred to the bones for storage if levels increase above acceptable levels.
Additionally, haematopoiesis takes place in bones. The bone marrow is a soft connective
tissue embedded with a layer of compact bones and houses the red marrow responsible for
producing blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells (OpenStax College, 2013). Besides, the
yellow marrow found alongside the red marrow in the long bones is a storage site for fat.
Main Parts of the Musculoskeletal System
The major parts of the musculoskeletal system include bones, cartilage, joints, muscles,
ligaments, and tendons (Marieb and Hoehn, 2007). Bones have different shapes and structures
responsible for supporting the body, protecting organs and soft tissues, storing minerals and fats,
and producing blood cells (Patton and Thibodeau, 2020). When combined with muscles and
other connective tissues, bones aid in mobility. Cartilages are a form of connective tissue that
absorbs shocks along joints and protects bones from rubbing against each other. Joints refer to
the points of connection of two or more joints.
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