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In order to understand the way in which the body works, it is useful to know some of the terms that are used to refer to the main bones in the body.Do you know where to find the:

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These are the upper arm bones.

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Also known as the breastbone.

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This is also known as the collarbone.There is one on each side!

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This is also known as the shoulder blade.

There is one on each side!

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Also known as the upper leg bone.

We have two of these.

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The kneecaps

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What is the skeleton for?The skeleton performs five basic functions:

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How do our joints work?Firstly, the bones within the skeleton need to be held together by something that will allow movement – something that is flexible.Ligaments are strong threads of tissue that connect bone to bone and hold the bones in position.Tendons attach muscles to bones. This allows leverage to be applied or a force to be applied to a muscle.Cartilage is a cushioning substance that sits between two bones where they meet. It stops the bones from wearing each other away.

Ligaments connect bones to bones

Tendons connect muscles to bones

Cartilage cushions bones

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How do our joints work?The joints can be broken down into three broad categories:

Fixed or immovable joints which, as their name suggests, are fixed in position. These joints are sometimes called fibrous joints.Cartilaginous joints which can move a little – sometimes called slightly movable joints.Synovial joints are sometimes called freely movable joints.

E.g. the joints between the plates of bone that

make up the skull

E.g. the joints in the spine

E.g. the shoulder

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How do our joints work?The joints can be broken down into three broad categories:

Fixed or immovable joints, which are sometimes called fibrous joints.

The joints between the plates of bone that make

up the skull

•The joints are held firmly together by connective tissue•There is no movement between the joints•Teeth are held in their sockets in the same way

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How do our joints work?The joints can be broken down into three broad categories:

Cartilaginous joints are sometimes called slightly movable joints.

The joints in the spine contain cartilage.

•Cartilage lines the joint between the bones reducing friction•The joint can move freely•The bones are held together by ligaments

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How do our joints work?The joints can be broken down into three broad categories:

Cartilaginous joints are sometimes called slightly movable joints.

The joints in the spine contain cartilage.

•Cartilage lines the joint between the bones reducing friction•The cartilage acts as a cushion between the bones•The bones can move slightly but ligaments will stop them from moving too far

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How do our joints work?The joints can be broken down into three broad categories:

Synovial Joints are sometimes called freely movable joints. Cartilage cushions the

bones

•Synovial fluid lubricates the joint•The synovial membrane contains the synovial fluid•The moving parts are held together by ligaments•An example of such a joint is the elbow

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How do our joints work?There are five ways in which a joint can move:

Flexion, this is closing a joint.

The example here shows a person picking something up.

Remember that it is the closing of the joint that is

called flexion.

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How do our joints work?There are five ways in which a joint can move:

Extension, this is opening a joint.

The example here shows a person releasing the tension in their arm.

Remember that it is the opening of the joint that

is called extension.

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How do our joints work?There are five ways in which a joint can move:

Abduction, this is moving away from a central position.

The example here shows a person moving their

fingers apart.

Raising your arms from your side is abduction

too.

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How do our joints work?There are five ways in which a joint can move:

Adduction, this is moving towards a central position.

The example here shows a person moving their

fingers together.

Lowering your arms from a raised position to your

side is adduction too.

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How do our joints work?There are five ways in which a joint can move:

Rotation, this is turning of a limb, either clockwise or anticlockwise.

The example here shows how our neck allows us

to rotate our head.

Note that your wrists do not allow rotation of

your hand – the wrists do not make the

rotation.

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How do our joints work?There are five ways in which a joint can move:

Flexion, this is closing a joint.

Extension, this is opening a joint.Abduction, this is moving away from a central position.Adduction, this is moving towards a central position.Rotation, this is the turning of a limb, either clockwise or anticlockwise.

We use these 5 movements to jump, kick, throw …