How to Understand the Skeletal System

The human skeletal system is a phenomenon studied intensively by doctors, physical therapists, dentists, athletic trainers, personal trainers and many other people in the health and science fields. The skeletal system is made up of all the bones found in the human body, which provide attachment sites for most of the muscles. The skeletal system is the framework of the body, and the key part of the body to support motion and weight-bearing of the human body.

Things You'll Need

• Anatomy and physiology information A 3-D skeleton (optional) A picture of a human skeleton (both front and back views)

Show More

Instructions

How to Understand the Skeletal System

• 1

  Learn how bones are formed. To do this, you will need to understand both the microscopic and macroscopic structure of bone. This includes understanding the osteoblasts (cells that grow bone), osteoclasts (cells that get rid of bone), the difference between spongy bone, the endosteum (inner layer of bone), and the periosteum (outer layer of bone).

• 2

  Memorize the different shapes of the bones found in the human body and understand where in the body each type is found. Along with the memorization of the shapes of bone, you should also learn the different parts of the long bones and what each part does to help the bone grow and develop.

• 3

  Break down the skeletal system and learn it section by section. Start with learning the skull and its bones. You should learn the skull bones from all angles and also be able to identify the bones of the skull looking down into the skull with the skullcap removed.

• 4

  Learn the different bones that make up the spine and the ribcage (learn the entire thorax of the body), and understand the differences between the types of vertebrae and how many of each type exist in the spine.

• 5

  Learn the appendicular skeleton next. It is best to learn the arms and legs together, because many of the bones in the upper and lower extremity parallel one another.