3. •We will begin our discussion of the skeletal system by
talking about the tissues that will go into the
construction of skeletal elements. The two primary
components are cartilage and bone, with additional
support coming from fibrous materials such as ligaments
and tendons.
•These structural materials must be able to
• withstand tremendous forces that affect an organism•
support the mass of the body and all of the muscles and
organs that are part of the body
• remain strong under the stresses of locomotion, such as
when the feet strike the ground, sending the force of
the impact through the body frame
• be strong at the junction where two bones meet, where
stress is applied and felt
• protect against impact to soft tissues, such as the skull
protects the brain
4. • be strong at the junction where two bones
meet, where stress is applied and felt
• protect against impact to soft tissues, such
as the skull protects the brain
• be strong at the junction where two bones
meet, where stress is applied and felt
• protect against impact to soft tissues, such
as the skull protects the brain
•Altogether, bones and other skeletal
materials must be resistant to such
stresses, or they may break or distort. The
types of forces experienced on different
parts of the body will influence the
structural material that is used.
