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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Skeletal System01:20

Introduction to the Skeletal System

The skeletal system is the central framework of the body, consisting of different connective tissues: bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Components of the Skeletal System
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard connective tissue that forms an internal support structure for the human body. Bones shield vulnerable organs and soft tissue from external forces. For example, the vertebral bones protect and support the spinal cord.
Cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue found in regions such as...
Classification of Bones01:18

Classification of Bones

The bones of the human skeletal system are of varied shapes, sizes, and functions. They can be classified based on their shape and function into four major classes: long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones. Some classifications include a fifth type, the sesamoid bones, as a separate class, whereas others categorize them under short bones.
Long and Short Bones
The appendicular skeleton, particularly the upper and lower limbs, is primarily made of long and short bones. The long...
Axial and Appendicular Muscles01:18

Axial and Appendicular Muscles

Skeletal muscles, the key players in our body's movement, can be classified into two groups based on their location and function: axial muscles and appendicular muscles. These classifications reflect the primary roles the muscles play in the body's structure and movement.
Axial Muscles
Axial muscles, situated along the body's midline, are intricately connected to the axial skeleton, which includes the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum. These muscles facilitate facial expressions and play a...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Overview of the Axial Skeleton01:09

Overview of the Axial Skeleton

The skeleton is subdivided into two major divisions—the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton forms the vertical, central axis of the body. It includes all of the bones of the head, neck, chest, and back. It protects the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs. It also serves as the attachment site for muscles that move the head, neck, and back and for muscles that act across the shoulder and hip joints to move their corresponding limbs.
The axial skeleton of the adult...
The Functions of the Skeletal System01:22

The Functions of the Skeletal System

The most apparent functions of the skeletal system are support, protection, and movement. However, bone tissue also performs several other critical metabolic functions. For one, the bone matrix acts as a reservoir for a number of minerals important to the functioning of the body, especially calcium and phosphorus. These minerals, present in the bone tissue, can be released back into the bloodstream when required. Calcium ions, for example, are essential for muscle contractions and controlling...

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Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion
08:19

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Published on: January 15, 2016

Skeletal asymmetry.

Tanuj Kanchan1, T S Mohan Kumar, G Pradeep Kumar

  • 1Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. tanujkanchan@yahoo.co.in

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
|March 4, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Skeletal directional asymmetry in limb bones arises from mechanical stress during growth. This study examines cross-symmetry patterns in limb bone dimensions, crucial for forensic anthropology and mass disaster identification.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Human Anatomy
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Bilateral bone dimension variations are known as directional asymmetry.
  • Upper limb asymmetry often favors the dominant side, while lower limb asymmetry favors the contralateral side, forming a cross-symmetry pattern.
  • Understanding these variations is critical for accurate skeletal analysis, particularly in forensic contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phenomenon of directional asymmetry and cross-symmetry in human limb bones.
  • To highlight the importance of considering these variations in skeletal remains examination.
  • To present a case study with literature review on limb element dimension comparisons.

Main Methods:

  • Measurement and comparison of dimensions of right and left limb elements.
  • Review of relevant scientific literature on skeletal asymmetry.
  • Case report detailing skeletal remains examination.

Main Results:

  • Directional asymmetry in limb bone dimensions is influenced by mechanical stress and strain during growth.
  • A cross-symmetry pattern, with dominance on opposite sides for upper and lower limbs, was observed.
  • Variations in bone dimensions can lead to misidentification of individuals in forensic cases.

Conclusions:

  • Directional asymmetry and cross-symmetry are significant factors in human skeletal variation.
  • Accurate assessment of limb bone dimensions is essential for reliable identification in forensic anthropology.
  • This study underscores the need to account for natural skeletal asymmetry in individual identification.