SKELETAL SYSTEM

The skeletal system forms the structural and functional foundation of the human body. It provides support, protection, and mobility while also performing essential physiological roles such as mineral storage, blood cell formation, and regulation of calcium and phosphate balance. Bone is not an inert framework but a dynamic living tissue that undergoes continuous growth, remodeling, and repair throughout life. This chapter presents a detailed and integrated account of the skeletal system, emphasizing its anatomy and physiology, bone development, mechanisms of fracture healing, the pathophysiology of osteoporosis, and the role of calcium-regulating drugs. A thorough understanding of these topics is essential for students of medicine, nursing, and allied health sciences to appreciate both normal skeletal function and common skeletal disorders.