The 5 Functions of Bones, Essay Example

Bones are an integral part of the body’s health and functionality. There are five types of bones located throughout the body. They can be classified as, long (femur), short (phalanges), flat (scapula), irregular (vertebrae), or sesamoid (patella). The function of each bone is determined by the type and location of the bone within the body. When thinking about the functions of bones, most people consider the mechanical functions bones perform within the body. However, bones also have other categories of functions such as, synthetic and metabolic functions.

The first mechanical function bones serve is to provide assistance in movement to the body. Bones are the anchor to which muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints attach. They act as levers, allowing the skeletal muscles to contract, which in turns moves the designated bone. This process of contract and release is repeated throughout the body, sometimes with just one bone, and sometimes with many muscles working simultaneously. Walking is the process of bones and muscles working together simultaneously. Another mechanical function of bones is to serve as protection for internal organs. Without bones to protect them, internal organs are at an increased risk of being injured. Examples of this protection include, the cranium protecting the brain, the sternum protecting the heart, the rib cage protecting the heart and lungs, and the vertebrae protecting the spinal cord. A third mechanical function of bones is to provide a framework for the body. Bones fit together like puzzle pieces inside the body. Their rigidity and firmness is what gives the body the shape it has.

A fourth function of bones is not a mechanical function, but, in fact a synthetic function. The major synthetic role of bones is to function as a producer or red blood cells. The bones themselves are not capable of doing this, but they house the marrow that does. The marrow produces stem cells that are capable of producing red blood cells.

A fifth function of bones is of the metabolic nature. Bones act as storage system for minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. When the body becomes low in one of these minerals, bones release minerals into the blood to facilitate balance in the body.

Carcinomas and Adenocarcinomas

Of the four types of tissues, epithelial is the most affected by carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. The main reason epithelial tissue is affected the most is simply, because epithelial tissue is the most prevalent type of tissue located throughout the body.  There are two types of epithelial tissue. The first type, covering and lining,  forms the outer layer of the skin, lines open cavities of the digestive and respiratory systems, and covers the walls of organs of the closed ventral body cavity. The second type, glandular epithelium, surrounds glands within the body. Carcinoma begins in the skin, but adenocarcinomas specifically affect glandular tissues. Since glandular tissue is widely spread throughout the body it can affect organs such as the colon, cervix, pancreas, prostate, stomach, thyroid and the breast. In simple terms, epithelial is the most affected because there is more of it than any other kind of tissue.

Grease burn

Grease burns to the hand represent a serious and preventable hazard. These burns account for more than 10% of all major burns seen in hospital emergency rooms. Burns are classified in three categories. First degree burns damage the first layer of skin called the epidermis. These burns occur from sunburn and usually results in peeling and flaking skin. Second degree burns are deeper. They usually occur from a scald with hot grease or direct contact with a hot surface, such as a curling iron. Damage occurs to the epidermis and also the second layer of skin, called the dermis. Second degree burns usually result in painful blisters that can become leaky. Second degree burns can be of two kinds. Superficial second degree burns will usually heal in one to three weeks with medication and treatment alone, and concludes in new growth of dermis. Deep second degree burns or partial thickness burns are paler in color and drier and may cause a loss of sensation in the skin. Treatments maybe applied and work, but sometimes skin grafting is needed. Third degree burns is the third type. Third degree burns destroy all layers of skin. This type of burn causes blisters, discoloration, and require skin grafting in all cases unless the area of burn is small.

More than likely, if Tom was scalded with grease and is in pain, he received a superficial second degree burn. A deep second degree burn would have resulted in no pain sensation because of nerve damage. A third degree burn would have resulted in Tom hand having excessive skin damage right away. Tom has damaged the epidermis and dermis skin layers on his hand. He is in pain because the burn was deep enough to cause damage, but not deep enough to damage nerves, which would cause a lack of pain.

Respiratory Infection

Respiratory disease is defined as any condition in which breathing becomes difficult and the oxygen levels in the blood abruptly drops lower than usual. Respiratory diseases are some of the most common medical conditions in the world and tens of millions of people suffer from it. This disease can attack and affect several structures in the respiratory system in many ways.  Airways can become inflamed, infected, or obstructed. Examples of respiratory disease in airways include asthma, COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis. Respiratory disease is also found in air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. Here, it causes infections, swelling, and even cancer. Examples of air sac damage are pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and pulmonary edema. A third structure affected by lung disease is the interstitium. Sarcoidosis is an example of interstitium respiratory disease. This disease can also affect the blood vessels of the lungs. This is what causes pulmonary embolism (blood clot) and pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the arteries. Another structure affected by respiratory disease is the pleura lining of the lungs. This thin lining surrounds the lungs and the inside of the chest wall. This is seen when pleura effusion occurs, which is a collection of fluid between the pleura and the chest wall.

Long term respiratory disease can result in paralysis of the cilia in the lungs. Cilia are microscopic hair-like projections that covers most of the body’s airways. Even though they are very small, they are crucial for proper functioning of the lungs. The air we breathe in every day, contains millions of dust particles and other airborne particles and would be harmful if they were allowed to accumulate in the lungs. The job of the cilia is to secrete a sticky mucus. This mucus traps dust and other harmful particles and prevent them from the lungs. A second job of the cilia is to move back and forth in a wave motion to remove mucus that has already accumulated in the lungs. This trapping and sweeping is what keeps the lungs free from infection.

A person with respiratory disease and paralyzed cilia will be at greater risk for infection because cilia that doesn’t move, can’t do its job of keeping the lungs and airways clean. Lungs and airways that are constantly taking in and retaining harmful particles will soon develop an infection.