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As your teacher here in the USA, I'm excited to help you dive into the skeletal system! The skeletal system is the framework of your body, made up of 206 bones in adults. It provides structure, protects organs, enables movement, produces blood cells, and stores minerals like calcium. Think of it as the body's scaffold.

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Skull, spine, ribs, pelvis, long bones like femur

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Support, protection, movement, blood production, mineral storage

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Bones come in different shapes to suit their jobs. Long bones (like the femur) are for support and movement. Short bones (like in the wrist) provide stability. Flat bones (like the skull) protect organs. Irregular bones (like vertebrae) have unique shapes for specific roles. Sesamoid bones, like the patella, reduce friction.

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Femur (long), carpals (short), skull (flat), vertebrae (irregular), patella (sesamoid)

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Each bone has an outer compact layer for strength and an inner spongy layer for lightness. The marrow cavity holds bone marrow for blood cell production. Periosteum covers the bone for protection and growth. Osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts are the cells that maintain bone health.

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Compact bone, spongy bone, marrow cavity

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Joints connect bones and allow movement. Synovial joints (like the knee) are freely movable with fluid for lubrication. Cartilaginous joints (like between vertebrae) allow slight movement. Fibrous joints (like in the skull) are immovable. Ligaments stabilize joints, while cartilage cushions them.

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Knee (synovial), spine (cartilaginous), skull sutures (fibrous)

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The axial skeleton forms the central axis: skull (protects brain), vertebral column (supports body and protects spinal cord), rib cage (protects heart and lungs), and sternum. It includes 80 bones total and is key for posture and protection.

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Skull (22 bones), vertebrae (26), ribs (24), sternum (1)

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This includes the limbs and girdles for movement: pectoral girdle (shoulders), upper limbs (arms), pelvic girdle (hips), and lower limbs (legs). With 126 bones, it's all about mobility and manipulation.

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Clavicle, humerus, scapula (upper); pelvis, femur, tibia (lower)

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The skull has cranial bones (cranium) and facial bones. The hyoid bone in the neck supports the tongue. Cervical vertebrae (7) allow head movement. These protect senses and enable swallowing and speaking.

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Frontal, parietal, mandible, hyoid, C1-C7 vertebrae

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Protection of brain and senses, head movement

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Each arm has humerus (upper arm), radius and ulna (forearm), carpals (8 in wrist), metacarpals (5 in hand), and phalanges (14 fingers). The shoulder girdle includes clavicle and scapula for arm attachment.

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Humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges

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Arm movement, grasping, fine motor skills

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Bones provide the rigid framework for muscles to pull against, enabling movement via joints and levers. Without the skeleton, we'd be like jelly! Exercise strengthens bones, while poor posture can lead to issues like scoliosis.

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The skull guards the brain, ribs shield lungs and heart, vertebrae encase the spinal cord, and pelvis protects reproductive organs. This is why helmets and seatbelts are crucial—they mimic bone's protective role.

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Red bone marrow in spongy bone produces red blood cells (for oxygen), white blood cells (immunity), and platelets (clotting). Flat bones like the pelvis are rich in marrow. Anemia can result from marrow issues.

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Bones store 99% of the body's calcium and phosphorus, releasing them as needed for nerves, muscles, and more. Vitamin D helps absorption. Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose density, often from low calcium.

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Use mnemonics like 'Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle' for carpals (Scaphoid, Lunate, etc.). Draw diagrams, label skeletons, or use apps like Visible Body. Quiz yourself on regions: axial vs. appendicular.

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Osteoporosis weakens bones, arthritis inflames joints, fractures break bones, scoliosis curves the spine. Prevention: diet rich in calcium/vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, avoid smoking. Early detection saves lives!