Unit 7 Reflection

In this unit, we learned about our skeletal system, the different bones, disorders within the skeletal system, joints and bone fractures and repair. There were so many different topics that were pretty interesting and amazed me how complex the skeletal system actually is. The skeletal system is divided into two parts, axial and appendicular. The axial is the main parts like skull, vertebrae, and ribcage. The appendicular is just the appendages on the body. It is surprising that our body has 206 bones and is composed of compact or spongy bone. Compact bone is much stronger than spongy bone. Also, bones are classified by their shape which includes long, short, irregular and flat. Long bones are like the femur or humerus, short bones are like carpals and tarsal, flat bones include the skull and ribs, irregular bones include the vertebrae and hips. 

We did an Owl Pellet Lab where we dissected an owl pellet. We were able to pull out different bones from a rodent and compare them to human ones. This lab really helped me apply my knowledge of the different bones and understand more about them.

Owl Pellet

With each system, they have their functions as well as disorders. Skeletal system disorders include arthritis, osteoporosis, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, and rickets. Most commonly heard are arthritis, osteoporosis, and scoliosis. Kyphosis is when there is an excessive curve of the thoracic vertebrae and you may develop a hump. Lordosis is the excess curvature of the lumbar spine and a forward tilt of the pelvis. It is caused bydifferent thickness of intervertebral discs. Rickets is softening and weakening of bones and is caused by extreme and prolonged vitamin D deficiency.
Another thing I found interesting is that our body is constantly tearing down and then rebuilding our bones. Calcium is necessary to help our body overall and is key in building and repairing teeth & bones. An important thing is that without Vitamin D, calcium can't be properly absorbed and many people forget and just consume huge amount of calcium which doesn't have much of an effect. Osteoprogenitor cells are dividing cells that develop into osteoblasts which are found on the surface of bones. They are also known as bone- building cells and help develop into osteocytes or mature bone cell. Osteoclasts are the opposite and break down bone tissue. Bone remodeling is important so injured bones can be replaced but also help maintain homeostasis of blood calcium levels and maintains the skeleton. 
Our skeletal system has the ability to maintain itself but when it comes to bone fractures it has a complex system to help repair it. There are many different types of bone fractures from a simple one to ones where the bone can actually penetrate the skin. But once the bone fractures, repair only starts when the ends of the bone make contact with each other. a hematoma forms at the site and then it turns into a procallus. Fibroblasts, chondroblasts, and osteoblasts will then arrive. By the end of a week, cartilage and bone will appear and then a osseuous callus which acts like a splint will occupy the area. Once the osseous callus has undergone remodeling to restore the bone, the injured bone is healed. It amazes me how the human body has such a unique system to help repair itself. 
I think I am slowly but surely progressing toward my New Year's Goal. I've hit a few setbacks this month by being sick which made my lose my motivation. But I am slowly getting there and hope to accomplish both of my goals by the end.