Anatomy – Bones & Joints

In our daily lives, we use various parts of our bodies, engaging muscles and movement of joints, to complete our daily tasks.
One of the most important body parts is the bones.
Bones support the body, as a framework or basis to support the body structure.
Bones protect delicate parts, such as the skull protects the brain; rib cage protects the vital organs.
Bones is a storage for calcium, phosphorus and other minerals. Homeostasis of blood calcium concentration is essential to change the rate of calcium movement between blood and bones, essential for survival.
The main function of joints, is to hold many separate bones together, creating movements. An articulation (joint) is a point of contact between bones, between cartilage and bones.
When we do writing in the office, we will utilise the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints at our fingers, to do flexion when we grab the pen to write, and extension when we put down the pen. This movement is made possible by hinge motion in the fingers. Hinge joint is spool-shaped fitted into concave socket.
When we are doing meditation with our thumb and index finger together on our knee with palm facing up, the action of opposition and reposition takes place. When we are coming into child’s pose to rest, our shoulder joints are externally rotated, forearms will be internally rotated to press the inner hands and fingers down.
As we age, our bones will become thinner and denser, particularly for women approaching menopause. Hence, we need to have higher intake of calcium rich food to improve our bones and joints, to minimise the possibility of Osteoporosis. Examples of calcium rich food are milk, cheese, orange, broccoli, edamame, whole grain foods.
Done By: Eileen Ang
Source:
Jones, Shirley A. Pocket Anatomy & Physiology. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 2009.