Meeli Roosalu – What Keeps the Skeleton Healthy?
When we look at a human skeleton, the first impression is that of a support structure assembled from random sticks. And that is absolutely correct! The skeleton is our support structure, which determines our quality of life, confirms Meeli Roosalu, lecturer of anatomy at the Tallinn University Centre of Excellence in Behavioural and Neural Sciences.
When we look at a human skeleton, the first impression is that of a support structure assembled from random sticks. And that is absolutely correct! The skeleton is our support structure, which determines our quality of life, confirms Meeli Roosalu, lecturer of anatomy at the Tallinn University Centre of Excellence in Behavioural and Neural Sciences.
The human skeleton can be compared to the structure that steadies and holds up a building. If this structure becomes deformed, the entire building can collapse. Fixing small details separately will only benefit the entire structure in short term. Similar processes take place in the human body.
The skeleton is called a passive musculoskeletal system. It is only passive, as the bones themselves do not move, but are moved by numerous skeletal muscles.
The bones are surrounded by a membrane called periosteum. This membrane is penetrated by bkiid vessels that also enter the bone. The cells on the inside of the periosteum create new bone tissue. Thus the membrane around the bone works as a provider and rebuilder of bones.
Only the ends of bones have no periosteum, as they are protected by cartilage. The cartilages have no blood vessels, they are covered by an oily substance that is generated when the cartilage receives pressure. Thus we need to keep moving in order to keep our cartilages healthy. Here the idea that everything that moves gets worn down does not hold water.
The outer layer of the bone is cortical, the interior is cancellous.
The cortical bone is made up of osteons – cylindrical structures that have a canal for blood vessels in the centre. Neighbouring osteons are connected by blood vessel canals. This canal system ensures the bone has blood supply to the inside, as well. The system develops during the entire lifespan of a person. The production of osteons is stimulated by slight shocks to the long bones – impact pressure.
Thus, running, various games that require movement, football, basketball, etc. stimulate the production of osteons and help improve blood supply to bones. Everyday movement during childhood ensures a healthy internal structure of bones. Jumping jacks and jumping ropes have been the preferred pastimes of the recess periods of many generations! The biggest influence to the development of bones comes from our intensive growing periods, the influence of movement in later life is rather modest. Movement that does not impact the bones – skiing, cycling, swimming, does not stimulate osteon production on such scales.
The influence of impact pressure to the formation of bone internal structure has been proven by research on the upper limbs of top tennis players: the bones of their preferred arm have a substantially larger amount of osteons than that of the other arm. People with disabilities have far less osteons than others.
In conclusion, to keep our skeletons healthy up to a high age, there is only one suggestion – move smart!