The skeleton is the body part that provides the supporting structure of an organism. It enables the body to grow and develop, through the lengthening of the bones. In most cases, the development process ends when the necessary cartilage turns to bone (end of puberty). The skeleton also protects the vital internal organs.
The bones are attached to each other at joints, with the help of ligaments, cartilage and tissue. Some joints enable the bones a wide spectrum of movement; For example, the shoulder can move in three different directions. Other joints limit the bones' ability to move, such as the joint at the bottom of the thumb. A third type of joint does not allow any type of movement, e.g. the skull.
The muscle tissue is made up from a large number of cells that are lined up in rows. These cells have the capability of contracting and expanding. Muscles are responsible for all the movements in our body and the production of most of the heat in the body. There are three types of muscles: skeletal muscle, smooth muscle and cardiac muscle.
The skin covers almost the entire surface of the body, and makes up 15% of the body’s weight, making it the largest organ in the body. The skin includes hair and various nerve endings, in addition to part of the body’s immune system. White blood cells can be found in the various skin tissue. The skin’s thickness depends on the body part it is covering.
For extensive information about diseases and conditions regarding the musculoskeletal system, see list of links below.