http://www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Human Biology
1.6 Human Skeletal System
- Identify the main parts and functions of the skeletal system.
- Describe the structure of bones and how bones grow.
Are bones alive?
From seeing a skeleton, you might think that bones are just dead, hollow structures. But in a living person, those
hollow spaces are full of living cells. Bones have a blood supply and nerves. Bones are a living tissue.
Your Skeleton
How important is your skeleton? Can you imagine your body without it? You would be a wobbly pile of muscle and
internal organs, and you would not be able to move.
The adult human skeleton has 206 bones, some of which are named below (Figure1.9). Bones are made up of
living tissue. They contain many different types of tissues.Cartilageis found at the end of bones and is made of