Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system provides structural support, enables movement, and protects internal organs. It is composed of bones, muscles, joints, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, working together to maintain posture, generate motion, and facilitate essential body mechanics.
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Discover the various components and structures that make up the Musculoskeletal System.
Musculoskeletal System Components
Achilles Tendon
Tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone.
Acromioclavicular Ligament
Ligament that connects the acromion to the clavicle.
Adductors
Muscles that bring the thighs toward the midline.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
Spinal ligament running along the front of the vertebral column.
Ball-and-Socket Joints
e.g., shoulder, hip
Biceps Brachii
Muscle responsible for elbow flexion.
Biceps Tendon
Tendon that attaches the biceps muscle to the bone.
Brachioradialis
Muscle responsible for forearm flexion.
Buccinator
Muscle that helps with chewing and blowing air out.
Carpals (8 bones)
8 wrist bones.
Cervical Vertebrae (C1 - C7)
Vertebrae in the neck region (C1-C7).
Clavicle
Collarbone connecting the arm to the body.
Coccygeus
Pelvic floor muscle supporting the coccyx.
Coccyx
Tailbone, the remnant of the tail in humans.
Coracoacromial Ligament
Ligament that connects the acromion to the coracoid process.
Cranial Bones
Bones of the skull that protect the brain.
Deltoid
Shoulder muscle responsible for arm abduction.
Diaphragm
Primary muscle for breathing.
Ellipsoidal (Condyloid) Joints
e.g., wrist
Ethmoid Bone
Bone forming part of the nasal cavity and the orbit.
Extensor Tendons
Tendons that help extend the fingers and toes.
Facial Bones
Bones forming the structure of the face.
Femur
Thigh bone, the longest and strongest bone in the body.
Fibula
Smaller bone in the lower leg, located alongside the tibia.
Flexor and Extensor Groups
Muscles responsible for flexing and extending the hand and wrist.
Flexor Tendons
Tendons that help flex the fingers and toes.
Frontal Bone
Bone forming the forehead and upper part of the orbits.
Gastrocnemius
Calf muscle responsible for plantarflexion of the foot.
Glenohumeral Ligaments
Shoulder ligaments that stabilize the shoulder joint.
Gliding (Plane) Joints
e.g., between carpals
Gluteus Maximus
Largest muscle in the buttocks responsible for hip extension.
Gomphoses
Fibrous joints where a peg fits into a socket (e.g., teeth in jaw).
Hamstrings
Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus.
Hinge Joints
e.g., elbow, knee
Humerus
Upper arm bone connecting the shoulder to the elbow.
Hyoid Bone
U-shaped bone in the neck that supports the tongue.
Iliolumbar Ligament
Ligament connecting the ilium and lumbar vertebrae.
Ilium
Uppermost and largest part of the hip bone.
Inferior Nasal Conchae
Bones inside the nasal cavity that filter and humidify air.
Interspinous Ligament
Spinal ligament between adjacent vertebral spinous processes.
Ischium
Part of the pelvis that supports weight while sitting.
Lacrimal Bones
Bones forming part of the eye socket and housing the tear ducts.
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
Knee ligament that stabilizes the outer knee.
Latissimus Dorsi
Back muscle responsible for arm adduction and extension.
Levator Ani
Pelvic floor muscle responsible for lifting the anus.
Ligamentum Flavum
Spinal ligament connecting the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.
Lumbar Vertebrae (L1 - L5)
Vertebrae in the lower back (L1-L5).
Mandible
Lower jawbone that houses the teeth.
Masseter
Muscle that elevates the mandible.
Maxillae
Upper jaw bones that house the teeth and form part of the orbit.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
Knee ligament that stabilizes the inner knee.
Metacarpals (5 bones)
5 bones forming the palm of the hand.
Metatarsals (5 bones)
5 bones forming the mid-foot.
Nasal Bones
Bones forming the bridge of the nose.
Obliques (External and Internal)
Muscles responsible for torso rotation.
Occipital Bone
Bone forming the back and base of the skull.
Palatine Bones
Bones forming part of the hard palate and nasal cavity.
Parietal Bones
Bones forming the sides and roof of the skull.
Patella
Knee cap, protecting the knee joint.
Patellar Tendon
Tendon connecting the patella to the tibia.
Pectoralis Major
Chest muscle responsible for shoulder movement.
Pelvic Floor Muscles
Muscles that support pelvic organs.
Phalanges (14 bones)
14 bones forming the toes.
Pivot Joints
e.g., atlanto-axial joint
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Spinal ligament running along the back of the vertebral column.
Pubis
Part of the pelvis that joins with the opposite side to form the pubic symphysis.
Quadriceps
Rectus Femoris, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Intermedius.
Quadriceps Tendon
Tendon that connects the quadriceps to the patella.
Radius
Forearm bone on the thumb side.
Rectus Abdominis
Abs muscle that flexes the trunk.
Ribs (12 Pairs)
12 pairs of bones that form the sides of the thoracic cage.
Rotator Cuff Muscles
Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, Subscapularis.
Rotator Cuff Tendons
Tendons of the rotator cuff muscles.
Sacroiliac Ligaments
Ligaments connecting the sacrum to the iliac bones.
Sacrum
Triangular bone at the base of the spine.
Saddle Joints
e.g., thumb joint
Sartorius
Longest muscle in the body responsible for hip flexion.
Scapula
Shoulder blade providing attachment for muscles of the upper limb.
Sesamoid Bones
e.g., patella, some found in hands/feet.
Skull
Bony structure of the head that encases the brain.
Soleus
Calf muscle responsible for plantarflexion of the foot.
Sphenoid Bone
Bone forming part of the base of the skull and sides of the orbits.
Sternocleidomastoid
Muscle that rotates and flexes the neck.
Sternum
Breastbone located in the center of the chest.
Sutures (in the skull)
Fibrous joints between skull bones.
Symphyses
Cartilaginous joints where bones are connected by fibrocartilage.
Synchondroses
Cartilaginous joints where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage.
Syndesmoses
Fibrous joints where bones are connected by ligaments.
Tarsals (7 bones)
7 ankle bones.
Temporal Bones
Bones forming the lower sides of the skull and housing the ears.
Temporalis
Muscle involved in closing the jaw.
Thoracic Cage
Ribs and sternum forming the protective cage for the heart and lungs.
Thoracic Vertebrae (T1 - T12)
Vertebrae in the upper and mid-back (T1-T12).
Tibia
Shin bone, the larger bone in the lower leg.
Tibialis Anterior
Muscle that dorsiflexes and inverts the foot.
Trapezius
Muscle responsible for moving, rotating, and stabilizing the scapula.
Triceps Brachii
Muscle responsible for elbow extension.
Ulna
Forearm bone on the pinky side.
Vertebral Column
Spinal column consisting of vertebrae.
Vomer Bone
Bone forming the nasal septum.
Wormian Bones
Sutural bones in the skull.
Zygomatic Bones
Cheekbones that form part of the orbit.
Zygomaticus
Muscle that raises the corners of the mouth.