Body of Evidence: Skeletal System, Cartilage, & Bone

Body of Evidence Series

Overview

Without bones you would be a lump of fleshy organs. Without cartilage you would have no nose, no fingernails, and folding your arm or straightening your leg would be extremely painful. Cartilage and bone are examples of connective tissue that are widespread and very important in our bodies. Cartilage requires no blood supply and actually repels blood vessels. This, plus its rubbery and slippery qualities, makes cartilage well-suited for joints. Bone serves many important functions such as to support our body, protect delicate organs, make blood cells, and maintain critical calcium levels. Under the microscope, bone is one of the bodys most beautifully constructed organs. The exquisite design of osteons makes compact bone, pound for pound, as strong as cast iron. Most amazing is the fact that the bones of the adult skeleton are highly dynamic structures that constantly change shape to best meet the loads that are placed on them.