What it means
Describes anything about the bones and the skeleton. The adult skeleton has 206 bones. It supports and shapes the body, protects organs (the skull protects the brain, the ribs protect the heart and lungs), stores calcium and makes blood cells in the bone marrowbone MAIR-ohThe soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes blood cells.Full entry . skeletal muscleSKEL-uh-tul MUS-ulMuscle attached to bones that a person moves by choice, such as the muscles of the arms and legs.Full entry is the muscle attached to bones that a person moves at will.
At a glance
| Spanish | esquelético |
|---|---|
| Also written | skeleton, skeletons |
Related terms
bone marrow
The soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes blood cells.
musculoskeletal
Having to do with the muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments.
skeletal muscle
Muscle attached to bones that a person moves by choice, such as the muscles of the arms and legs.
orthopedic
Having to do with the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons, and the branch of medicine that treats them.