Читать книгу Anatomy of bone system. The manual for medical students / Анатомия костной системы. Учебное пособие для медицинских вузов - Г. И. Ничипорук - Страница 11

1. The bones serve as support for soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, fasciae, visceral organs).

2. Most of bones are leverages which are moved by attached muscles. According to these two functions, the skeleton may be considered to be the passive part of the musculoskeletal system.

3. The human skeleton is an antigravitational structure which counteracts the force of gravity. It prevents any changes in the body shape under the impact of gravitation pressing the human body to the ground.

4. Protective function: the skull, trunk and pelvis bones prevent any potential damage to the vital organs, major vessels and nerve trunks. For example, the skull encloses the brain, organs of vision, hearing and equilibrium. In the vertebral canal there is the spinal cord. The chest protects the heart, lungs, major vessels and nerve trunks. The pelvic bones protect the rectum, urinary bladder and internal genital organs against injuries.

5. Hematopoietic function: most bones contain red bone marrow which is the hematopoietic organ, as well asthe immune system organ. The bones protect the red bone marrow against damages, and provide favorable conditions for its trophism and for maturation of blood elements.

6. Involvement in mineral metabolism: bones deposit numerous chemical elements, predominantly calcium and phosphorus salts.

According to V. S. Speransky, the human skeleton is a perfect dynamic structure adapted to the motor function and human way of life; it is responsive to various changes which occur both in the body itself and in the environment.