Structure and Functions of the Body: A Hand-Book of Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses and Others Desiring a Practical Knowledge of the Subject — John Shaqi
Structure and Functions of the Body: A Hand-Book of Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses and Others Desiring a Practical Knowledge of the SubjectFiske, Annette
Science
Structure and Functions of the Body: A Hand-Book of Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses and Others Desiring a Practical Knowledge of the Subject
Fiske, Annette
Human anatomy; Physiology
Long bones are developed in cartilage and consist of a shaft, two
extremities, and various processes. They are more or less curved to
give them strength and grace. They serve as supports and act as levers
for purposes of motion and the exercise of power. Since a hollow
cylinder is just as strong as a solid one of the same size, the weight
coming only on the outer shell, the great bones which are accountable
for weight and which need to be light themselves have hollow shafts,
composed chiefly of compact tissue with a central medullary canal. The
ends, however, are expanded in order to make better connection at the
joints and to afford broad surfaces for muscular attachment, cancellous
tissue being used in them for lightness and strength. The large spongy
ends also give elasticity and lessen jar, and by bringing the tendons
to the bone at a greater angle increase their effectiveness. Blood is
brought to the long bones not only by the vessels of the periosteum but
by the medullary artery, which penetrates the compact tissue by the
nutrient foramen and divides into an ascending and a descending branch.
Short bones are spongy throughout. They are used for strength and where
little motion is required.
Flat bones are composed of two thin layers of compact tissue with a
varying amount of cancellous tissue between, and are for protection and
muscular attachment. The cancellous material between the two layers or
tablets of the skull is called the diploë.
Eminences and depressions occur on bones and when they are not
articular are for the attachment of ligaments and muscles. If they are
articular, they help to form joints.
As a whole the bony framework serves to keep the soft parts in place,
to support and protect them, and to aid in locomotion. The bones of the
head and trunk support and protect organs; those of the arms are for
tact and prehension; those of the lower extremities are for support and
locomotion.
Normally bones have little sensibility, but when inflamed they are
extremely sensitive and painful.
=Joints.=--The bones are connected with and move upon one another by
means of joints. These joints are of three kinds: 1. Immovable, where
the adjacent margins of the bones are closely applied, with little
fibrous tissue between, as in the sutures of the head; 2. those with
limited motion, which are very strong, the parts being connected with
tough fibro-cartilage; and 3. freely movable. In this last group the
articulating surfaces are covered with cartilage, which again is
lined with a delicate synovial membrane which secretes a small amount
of lubricating fluid, the synovial fluid, to reduce friction. Their
surfaces are also sometimes deepened by the presence of inter-articular
fibro-cartilages. Bursæ or sacs of synovial membrane occur outside the
joints under tendons and ligaments to reduce friction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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