Basic Musculoskeletal System

 

There are three types of muscles: cardiac, skeletal, and smooth, with only skeletal and smooth muscles part of the musculoskeletal system.

Skeletal muscles are the only muscles to move the body and under conscious control. They are attached to bones and arranged in opposing groups around joints allowing for smooth movement.

Muscles are innervated by nerves, which conduct electrical currents from the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract. 

 

The skeletal system provides the shape and form for the body, support and protection, allows bodily movement, produces blood for the body, and stores minerals.

These are long bones, short bones, flat bones, irregular bones, and sesamoid bones.

The human skeleton is composed of both fused and individual bones supported by ligaments, tendons, muscles and cartilage.

Although the skeletal system can be considered a complex system, it can be divided into two: the appendicular skeleton and the axial skeleton, which includes the vertebral column.