Question
For a fracture as minor as a hairline fracture, rest may be enough for the bone tissue to heal on its own completely. Other fractures may require immobilization with a splint or cast. More severe fractures may need surgery for the bone to heal together. For example, comminuted fractures often require surgical intervention to reconstruct the bone and stabilize the fragments with plates, screws, or rods.
There are two major divisions of the skeletal system: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton has 80 bones and consists of the skull, vertebral (spinal) column, ribs, and sternum. The appendicular skeleton includes the 126 bones of the shoulders, wrists, arms, hands, pelvic girdles, legs, ankles, and feet.
Have you ever broken a bone? If you haven’t, chances are you know someone who has!
How does a broken bone heal? After a fracture, blood rushes to the area and forms a clot known as a hematoma that bridges between the bone pieces. Osteocytes send signals to trigger the healing of the bone. Osteoblasts migrate to the break site and stabilize the broken bone. Osteoclasts help remove damaged bone fragments and clear the way for new bone formation. Osteoblasts will continue to lay down new bone matrix, while osteoclasts remove excess or old bone tissue. They continue this process until the bone regains its original strength and structure, often with a bit of help from medical professionals. Later, we will learn how bone fractures are identified and treated.
5. Which of your bones are more likely to experience fractures: the bones of the axial or appendicular skeleton? Justify your answer with evidence from the unit.
Write 4 simple sentences in your own words.
There are two major divisions of the skeletal system: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton has 80 bones and consists of the skull, vertebral (spinal) column, ribs, and sternum. The appendicular skeleton includes the 126 bones of the shoulders, wrists, arms, hands, pelvic girdles, legs, ankles, and feet.
Have you ever broken a bone? If you haven’t, chances are you know someone who has!
How does a broken bone heal? After a fracture, blood rushes to the area and forms a clot known as a hematoma that bridges between the bone pieces. Osteocytes send signals to trigger the healing of the bone. Osteoblasts migrate to the break site and stabilize the broken bone. Osteoclasts help remove damaged bone fragments and clear the way for new bone formation. Osteoblasts will continue to lay down new bone matrix, while osteoclasts remove excess or old bone tissue. They continue this process until the bone regains its original strength and structure, often with a bit of help from medical professionals. Later, we will learn how bone fractures are identified and treated.
5. Which of your bones are more likely to experience fractures: the bones of the axial or appendicular skeleton? Justify your answer with evidence from the unit.
Write 4 simple sentences in your own words.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
The bones of the appendicular skeleton are more likely to experience fractures than those of the axial skeleton. The appendicular skeleton includes the shoulders, arms, hands, legs, ankles, and feet, which are used in movement and are exposed to falls and impacts. The unit also says there are 126 appendicular bones compared with 80 axial bones, so there are more bones that can be broken. Many common fractures that need splints, casts, or surgery occur in the limbs and joints of the appendicular skeleton.
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