A Module for

Grade Four
HUMAN SKELETAL
SYSTEM
 Human Skeletal System

HUMAN SKELETAL SYSTEM

Have you seen a building undergoing construction? What

have you observed?

Constructing a building starts by putting together

system of beams and girders, or what we called a
framework. It must be strong because it provides support to
the floors and walls of building. This way, the building does
not collapse.
The human body is just like a building. It has a
Framework called skeleton which is made up of superbly
joined and balanced system of bones held by ligaments,
tendons and joints. In this module, you will learn what
skeletal system is and the function of each part.

I. INTRODUCTION

Humans are vertebrates, animals having a vertabral column or backbone. They rely on a
sturdy internal frame that is centered on a prominent spine. The human skeletal system consists
of bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons and accounts for about 20 percent of the body weight.

The living bones in our bodies use oxygen and give off waste products in metabolism. They
contain active tissues that consume nutrients, require a blood supply and change shape or
remodel in response to variations in mechanical stress.

Bones provide a rigid framework, known as the skeleton, that support and protect the soft organs
of the body.

The skeleton supports the body against the pull of gravity. The large bones of the lower limbs
support the trunk when standing.

The skeleton also protects the soft body parts. The fused bones of the cranium surround the brain
to make it less vulnerable to injury. Vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord and bones of
the rib cage help protect the heart and lungs of the thorax. Bones work together with muscles as
simple mechanical lever systems to produce body movement.

II. OBJECTIVES’

In this module, you should be able to:

1. Identify the components of the human skeletal system.
2. Describe the functions of the skeletal system and name major bones.
3. Recognize the importance of the skeletal system in one’s body.
III. PRE-TEST

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is the skeletal system?

a. All the bones in the body
b. All the muscles and tendons
c. All the body's organs, both soft and hard tissue
d. All the bones in the body and the tissues that connect them

2. How many bones are there in the average person's body?

a. 33
b. 206
c. 639
d. It varies by the individual.

3. Which of the following statement is INCORRECT?

a. Bone is where most blood cells are made.
b. Bone serves as a storehouse for various minerals.
c. Bone is a dry and non-living supporting structure.
d. Bone protects and supports the body and its organs.

4. Which bone protects the brain?

a. Calcium
b. The cranium
c. The cerebrum
d. The cerebellum

5. Besides the brain, the skull also protects ...

a. the lungs
b. the diaphragm
c. the body's cells
d. the sense organs

6. The purpose of the rib cage is to...

a. protect the stomach
b. protect the spinal cord
c. protect the heart and lungs
d. provide an object to which the lungs can attach

7. What makes bones so strong?

a. Silica
b. Cartilage
c. Blood and marrow
d. Calcium and phosphorous

8. What is the difference between cartilage and bone?

a. Bone is rubbery, and cartilage is firm.
b. Cartilage is rubbery, and bone is firm.
c. Bone is a more primitive tissue than cartilage.
d. Bone is inside the body, and cartilage is outside.

9. The hollow space in the middle of bones is filled with ...

 a. air
b. blood
c. bone cells
d. bone marrow

10. What is the difference between compact bone and spongy bone?
a. They have different bone marrow.
b. They are made of different materials.
c. They have different sizes of bone cells.
d. They have different arrangement of bone cells.

IV. TOPICS

SKELETAL SYSTEM

The skeletal system supports and protects the body while giving it shape and
form. This system is composed of connective tissues including bone, cartilage, tendons, and
ligaments. Nutrients are provided to this system through blood vessels that are contained
within canals in bone. The skeletal system stores minerals and fats and produces blood cells.
It also provides mobility. Tendons, bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles work in concert to
produce various movements.

Skeleton Components

The skeleton is composed of fibrous and mineralized connective tissues that give it firmness and
flexibility. It consists of bone, cartilage, tendons, joints, and ligaments.

 Bone: a type of mineralized connective tissue that contains collagen and calcium
phosphate, a mineral crystal. Calcium phosphate gives bone its firmness. Bone tissue may
be compact or spongy. Bones provide support and protection for the body's organs.
 Cartilage: a form of fibrous connective tissue that is composed of closely packed
collagenous fibers in a rubbery gelatinous substance called chondrin. Cartilage provides
 flexible support for certain structures in adult humans, including the nose, trachea, and
ears.
 Tendon: a fibrous band of connective tissue that is bonded to bone and connects bone to
bone.
 Ligament: a fibrous band of connective tissue that joins bones and other connective
tissues together at joints.
 Joint: a site where two or more bones or other skeletal components are joined together.

Skeleton Divisions

Bones are a major component of the skeletal system. Bones that comprise the human skeleton are
divided into two groups. They are the axial skeletal bones and appendicular skeletal bones. An
adult human skeleton contains 206 bones, 80 of which are from the axial skeleton and 126 from
the appendicular skeleton.

Axial Skeleton

The axial skeleton includes bones that run along the medial sagittal plane of the body. Imagine a
vertical plane that runs through your body from front to back and divides the body into equal
right and left regions. This is the medial sagittal plane. The axial skeleton forms a central axis
that includes bones of the skull, hyoid, vertebral column, and thoracic cage. The axial skeleton
protects numerous vital organs and soft tissues of the body. The skull provides protection for
the brain, the vertebral column protects the spinal cord, and the thoracic cage protects
the heart and lungs.

Axial Skeleton Components

 Skull: includes bones of the cranium, face, and ears (auditory ossicles).
 Hyoid: U-shaped bone or complex of bones located in the neck between the chin and
larynx.
 Vertebral column: includes spinal vertebrae.
 Thoracic cage: includes ribs and sternum (breastbone).

Appendicular Skeleton

The appendicular skeleton is composed of body limbs and structures that attach limbs to the axial
skeleton. Bones of the upper and lower limbs, pectoral girdles, and the pelvic girdle are
components of this skeleton. Although the primary function of the appendicular skeleton is for
bodily movement, it also provides protection for organs of the digestive system, excretory
system, and reproductive system.

Appendicular Skeleton Components

 Pectoral girdle: includes shoulder bones (clavicle and scapula).

 Upper limbs: includes bones of the arms and hands.
 Pelvic girdle: includes hip bones.
 Lower limbs: includes bones of the legs and feet.

Skeletal Bones
Bones are a type of mineralized connective tissue containing collagen and calcium phosphate. As
a component of the skeletal system, a major function of bone is to assist in movement. Bones
work in concert with tendons, joints, ligaments, and skeletal muscles to produce various
movements. Nutrients are provided to bone through blood vessels that are contained within
canals in bone.

Bone Function

Bones provide several important functions in the body. Some major functions include:

 Structure: Bones compose the skeleton, which provides structure and support for the
body.
 Protection: Bones provide protection for numerous vital organs and soft tissues of the
body. For example, the vertebral column protects the spinal cord, and the thoracic (rib)
cage protects the heart and lungs.
 Mobility: Bones work in conjunction with skeletal muscle and other skeletal system
components to assist in enabling body movement.
 Blood Cell Production: Blood cells are produced by bone marrow. Bone marrow stem
cells develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
 Storage: Bones store important minerals and mineral salts, including calcium,
phosphorus, and calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphate gives bone its firmness. Bone
also stores fat in yellow bone marrow.

Bone Cells

Bone consists primarily of a matrix that is composed of collagen and calcium phosphate
minerals. Bones are constantly being broken down and rebuilt to replace old tissue with new
tissue in a process called remodeling. There are three main types of bone cells that are involved
in this process.

Osteoclasts

These large cells have several nuclei and function in resorption and the assimilation of bone
components. Osteoclasts attach to bone surfaces and use acids and enzymes to decompose bone.

Osteoblasts

Osteoblasts are immature bone cells that form bone. They help to control bone mineralization
and produce the proteins needed for bone formation. Osteoblasts produce osteoid (the organic
substance of bone matrix), which mineralizes to form bone. Osteoblasts may develop into
osteocytes or into lining cells, which cover bone surfaces.

Osteocytes

Osteocytes are mature bone cells. They have long projections that keep them in contact with each
other and with lining cells on the bone surface. Osteocytes assist in bone and matrix formation.
They also aid in maintaining a proper blood calcium balance.

Bone Tissue

There are two primary types of bone tissue: compact bone and cancellous bone. Compact
bone tissue is the dense, hard outer layer of bone. It contains osteons or Haversian systems that
are tightly packed together. An osteon is a cylindrical structure consisting of a central canal, the
Haversian canal, which is surrounded by concentric rings (lamellae) of compact bone. The
Haversian canal provides a passageway for blood vessels and nerves.

Cancellous bone is located within compact bone. It is spongy, more flexible, and less dense than
compact bone. Cancellous bone typically contains red bone marrow, which is the site of blood
cell production.

Bone Classification

Bones of the skeletal system can be classified into four major types, categorized by shape and
size. The four main bone classifications are long, short, flat, and irregular bones. Long bones are
bones that have greater length than width. Examples include arm, leg, finger, and thigh bones.

Short bones are almost the same in length and width and are close to being cube-shaped.
Examples of short bones are wrist and ankle bones.

Flat bones are thin, flat, and typically curved. Examples include cranial bones, ribs, and the
sternum.

Irregular bones are atypical in shape and can not be classified as long, short, or flat. Examples
include hip bones, facial bones, and vertebrae.

V. SUMMARY
  The skeletal system gives the body shape and form and helps to both protect and support
the entire organism.
 Bone, cartilage, tendons, joints, ligaments and other connective tissues compose the
skeletal system.
 The two main types of bone tissue are compact (hard and dense) and cancellous (spongy
and flexible) tissue.
 Three major types of bone cells are involved in the breakdown and rebuilding of bone:
osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes.

VI. POST TEST

A. Identify the following. Choose the correct answer from the box and write your answer on
the blank provided before the number.

Bone Tendon Osteoblasts

Osteocytes Pelvic girdle

Cartilage Joint Upper limbs

Ligament Osteoclasts

_____________1. A type of mineralized connective tissue that contains collagen and calcium
phosphate, a mineral crystal. Calcium phosphate gives bone its firmness. Bone tissue may be
compact or spongy. Bones provide support and protection for the body's organs.

_____________2. A form of fibrous connective tissue that is composed of closely packed

collagenous fibers in a rubbery gelatinous substance called chondrin. Cartilage provides flexible
support for certain structures in adult humans, including the nose, trachea, and ears.

_____________3. A fibrous band of connective tissue that is bonded to bone and connects bone
to bone.

_____________4. A fibrous band of connective tissue that joins bones and other connective
tissues together at joints

_____________5. A site where two or more bones or other skeletal components are joined
together.

_____________6. These large cells have several nuclei and function in resorption and the
assimilation of bone components.

_____________7. These are immature bone cells that form bone. They help to control bone
mineralization and produce the proteins needed for bone formation.

_____________8. These are mature bone cells. They have long projections that keep them in
contact with each other and with lining cells on the bone surface.

_____________9. This includes bones of the arms and hands.

_____________10. This includes hip bones.

B. Name the two groups/divisions of bones and give a brief description.

1.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

VII. GLOSSARY

Collagen- is the most abundant protein in your body. It is the major component of connective
tissues that make up several body parts, including tendons, ligaments, skin and muscles.

Osteon- is a cylindrical structure consisting of a central canal.

Haversian canal- provides a passageway for blood vessels and nerves.

Axial skeleton- includes bones that run along the medial sagittal plane of the body.

Appendicular skeleton- is composed of body limbs and structures that attach limbs to the
axial skeleton.

VIII. REFERENCES

Electronic Source:

https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/skeletal/

http://www.vtaide.com/png/skeletal-mcq.htm

https://www.thoughtco.com/skeletal-system-373584

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/28217935139879318/
Key Answers
Pre-Test
1. D
2. B
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. C
7. D
8. B
9. D
10.B

Post Test
1.Bone
2. Cartilage
3. Tendon
4. Ligament
5. Joint
6. Osteoclasts
7. Osteoblasts
8. Osteocytes
9. Upper Limb
10. Pelvic Girdle