The Skeleton and Bone Structure

Short: The human skeleton consists of about 206 bones and provides support, protects internal organs, and enables movement together with muscles. Bones are living tissue that is constantly remodeled.

In more detail: Infants actually have more bones, many of which fuse together as they grow.

In detail

• Bone structure: A hard outer layer (cortical bone) encloses a sponge-like inner area (cancellous bone) that contains bone marrow.
• Bone marrow: Red bone marrow produces blood cells, while yellow bone marrow mainly stores fat tissue.
• Joints: Connect bones movably and are protected and stabilized by cartilage, synovial fluid, and ligaments.
• Spine: Made up of about 33 vertebrae, it protects the spinal cord while allowing flexibility and shock absorption.
• Bone remodeling: Specialized cells constantly break down old bone tissue and build new tissue, a process that slows with age.
• Osteoporosis: A condition where bone breakdown exceeds bone building, making bones more brittle, especially in old age.
• Strengthening bone density: Adequate calcium, vitamin D, and regular weight-bearing exercise support maintaining stable bones (nervensystem-aufbau-und-funktion, atmung-und-lunge).