Explanation:
Human Skeleton:
Imagine a complex, internal scaffolding that keeps your body upright, protects your organs, and allows you to move. That's exactly what your skeletal system is. It is made up of around 206 bones (in adults), along with cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, it's the foundation for all your movements and provides the shape you recognize as yourself.
Cartilage:
Cartilage isn't quite as rigid as bone, but it's just as important. Made of a rubbery material called chondrin, cartilage provides a smooth, gliding surface at the ends of your bones where they meet at joints. This allows for pain-free movement and cushions the bones from impact. You'll also find cartilage in your nose, trachea (windpipe), and ears, where it shapes and supports these structures.
Tendon:
Tendons are tough, fibrous bands that act like sturdy cables, connecting muscles to bones. When a muscle contracts, it pulls on the tendon, which in turn transmits that force to the bone, causing movement. Imagine a tendon as the string on a marionette – when you pull the string (muscle contracts), the marionette's limb moves (bone movement).
Ligament:
Ligaments are strong, yet flexible bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones, or bones to cartilage. They act like stabilizers at your joints, preventing excessive movement and keeping everything in place. Ligaments are crucial for maintaining the proper alignment of your joints and ensuring smooth, controlled motion.
