Bone Biology
•	Essential mechanical components of the musculoskeletal system
–	Protect and support soft tissues
–	Anchor muscles, tendons, and ligaments
–	Act as the rigid levers that muscles operate to produce movement
–	Critical centers for the production of blood cells, storage facilities for fat, and as reservoirs such as calcium (essential for clotting and muscle contraction)

Bone Biology
•	Is one of the strongest biological materials in existence is the main supporting tissue of the body.
•	Bone is a composite material
–	Protein (collagen) and mineral (hydroxyapatite)
–	Self-repairs

Bone Biology
•	Synovial Joints
–	Hip, elbows, knee and thumb
–	Hyaline cartilage
–	Joint Cavity
–	Synovial fluid within joint capsule
•	Hip joint is spheroidal or ball-and-socket
•	Elbow and Knee are ‘hinge’ joints
•	Base of the 1st digit or thumb is ‘saddle-shaped’ or sellar, movement in two basic directions.
Bone Biology
•	Cartilaginous Joints (synchondroses)
–	Articulating bones are united by means of cartilage
–	Very little movement is allowed
–	Temporary joints between growth centers
–	Connection between ribs and sternum.
•	Fibrous Joints
–	Cranial sutures
–	Roots of teeth gomphosis

Bone Biology
•	Movement primarily occurs at synovial joints
–	Caused by muscles contracting across joints between bones
–	Muscles are connected to bone via tendons

Bone Biology
•	Bone, like fiberglass is a composite material.
–	Collagen (protein molecule) constitutes about 90% of the organic content
–	Hydroxyapatite, a form of calcium phosphate, inorganic component
–	Combination of protein and minerals gives rise to bones amazing properties.