Musculoskeletal System Research Paper

The musculoskeletal system is a complex arrangement of bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue. This system provides form, support, stability, and movement for the body. It is comprised of two separate systems, the skeletal system and the muscular system. Both of these systems are vital for the body to be able to function properly. For instance, the skeletal system protects and supports the weight of the body’s organs, serves as storage for calcium and phosphorous, and contains critical components for the production of blood. The muscular system keeps bones in place and plays a role in the movement of the body. In addition to bones and muscles, the musculoskeletal system also has joints, which has tendons and ligaments within and allows the body to move, and cartilage, which prevents the bone ends from rubbing directly on each other. All of these components together make up the musculoskeletal system.

Cortical bones, also known as compact bones, form the hard-external layer of all bones that helps protect and strengthen the medullary cavity, which is filled with bone marrow. Within the cortical bones are lamellae called osteons. Osteons are aligned in the same direction along lines of stress, which hold the bone’s blood vessels and nerve fibers. These bones primarily help to resist bending and fracturing. Trabecular bones, also known as spongy bones, form the inner layer of all bones that helps to reduce the density of bones allowing the ends of long bones to compress when subject to stress. Within the trabecular bones are lamellae called trabeculae. Trabeculae are arranged as rods or plates and contain blood vessels that deliver nutrients to osteocytes and remove waste. Between the trabeculae is red bone marrow, which forms blood