What is the skeletal system? The skeletal system gives your body its shape and holds your organs in place. In the simplest terms, your skeletal system is your body’s most important support structure. But it’s more than just your skeleton and bones.
Explore the skeletal system with our interactive 3D anatomy models. Learn about the bones, joints, and skeletal anatomy of the human body.
Many people think of bones as dead, dry, and brittle. These adjectives may correctly describe the bones of a preserved skeleton, but the bones of a living human being are very much alive. Living bones are also strong and flexible. Bones are the major organs of the skeletal system.
Learn anatomy of the skeleton for free. What is the skeletal system? How does the human skeleton work? The skeleton provides structure and facilitates movement.
The skeletal system provides our body with shape and stability, as well as the protection of internal organs. It is composed of 206 bones that connect to each other via joints.
The skeletal system includes all of the bones, cartilages, and ligaments of the body that support and give shape to the body and body structures. The skeleton consists of the bones of the body.
The human skeletal system consists of bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons and accounts for about 20 percent of the body weight. The living bones in our bodies use oxygen and give off waste products in metabolism.
The most apparent functions of the skeletal system are the gross functions—those visible by observation. Simply by looking at a person, you can see how the bones support, facilitate movement, and protect the human body.