Your skeletal system is basically your body's framework - it's... Show more
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katie turner
25/11/2025
PE
The Skeletal system
263
•
25 Nov 2025
•
Understanding the Human Skeletal System for OCR Exams
K
katie turner
@katieturner_eanq
1 / 3
Skeletal System and Bone Types
Think of your skeletal system as having five main jobs: protecting vital organs, making blood cells, storing minerals, giving muscles something to attach to, and creating the levers that help you move.
Your skeleton splits into two parts. The axial skeleton forms your central axis - that's your skull, ribs, sternum, and spine. The appendicular skeleton includes everything else: your arms, legs, shoulders, and pelvis (126 bones total).
Different bones have different jobs based on their shape. Long bones like your femur and humerus work as levers for movement and make blood cells. Flat bones such as your ribs and skull protect organs and give muscles places to attach. Short bones in your wrists and ankles provide stability, whilst irregular bones like vertebrae protect your spinal cord.
Quick Tip: Remember that sesamoid bones (like your kneecap) sit within tendons to help joints move smoothly under pressure.
Joint Types and Movement
Joints are where bones meet to create movement, and they come in three types based on how much they can move. Fibrous joints don't move at all, cartilaginous joints move slightly, and synovial joints move freely - these are the ones that matter most in sport.
Synovial joints include several types you'll need to know. Ball and socket joints (shoulder and hip) give massive range of movement. Hinge joints (elbow and knee) work like door hinges, moving in one direction. Pivot joints (neck) allow rotation, whilst condyloid joints (wrist) move in two directions.
These joints work because of their special features. Synovial fluid lubricates everything like oil in an engine. Articular cartilage provides smooth surfaces and absorbs shock. Ligaments hold bones together, whilst the joint capsule wraps around everything to keep it stable.
Remember: Bursa are like tiny cushions that stop tendons rubbing against bones - they're crucial for preventing injury during repetitive movements.
Movement Types and Planes
Understanding how your body moves starts with knowing the three planes of movement. The sagittal plane divides you into left and right halves, the frontal plane splits you front and back, and the transverse plane cuts you into top and bottom sections.
Flexion and extension happen in the sagittal plane - think bending and straightening your elbow. Abduction and adduction occur in the frontal plane (moving away from or towards your body's midline). Rotational movements happen in the transverse plane.
Some movements are joint-specific. Dorsi flexion and plantar flexion only happen at your ankle (pulling toes up or pointing them down). Circumduction creates cone-shaped movements at ball and socket joints, like winding up for a cricket bowl.
The table on this page shows which muscles create specific movements at major joints. Learning these muscle-joint combinations is essential for understanding how athletic movements work and for your exams.
Study Smart: Focus on the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle movements first - these appear in most exam questions and cover the majority of sporting actions.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding the Human Skeletal System for OCR Exams
K
katie turner
@katieturner_eanq
Your skeletal system is basically your body's framework - it's what gives you shape, protects your organs, and lets you move around. Understanding how bones and joints work together is essential for sports science and helps explain why certain movements... Show more
Skeletal System and Bone Types
Think of your skeletal system as having five main jobs: protecting vital organs, making blood cells, storing minerals, giving muscles something to attach to, and creating the levers that help you move.
Your skeleton splits into two parts. The axial skeleton forms your central axis - that's your skull, ribs, sternum, and spine. The appendicular skeleton includes everything else: your arms, legs, shoulders, and pelvis (126 bones total).
Different bones have different jobs based on their shape. Long bones like your femur and humerus work as levers for movement and make blood cells. Flat bones such as your ribs and skull protect organs and give muscles places to attach. Short bones in your wrists and ankles provide stability, whilst irregular bones like vertebrae protect your spinal cord.
Quick Tip: Remember that sesamoid bones (like your kneecap) sit within tendons to help joints move smoothly under pressure.
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Joint Types and Movement
Joints are where bones meet to create movement, and they come in three types based on how much they can move. Fibrous joints don't move at all, cartilaginous joints move slightly, and synovial joints move freely - these are the ones that matter most in sport.
Synovial joints include several types you'll need to know. Ball and socket joints (shoulder and hip) give massive range of movement. Hinge joints (elbow and knee) work like door hinges, moving in one direction. Pivot joints (neck) allow rotation, whilst condyloid joints (wrist) move in two directions.
These joints work because of their special features. Synovial fluid lubricates everything like oil in an engine. Articular cartilage provides smooth surfaces and absorbs shock. Ligaments hold bones together, whilst the joint capsule wraps around everything to keep it stable.
Remember: Bursa are like tiny cushions that stop tendons rubbing against bones - they're crucial for preventing injury during repetitive movements.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Movement Types and Planes
Understanding how your body moves starts with knowing the three planes of movement. The sagittal plane divides you into left and right halves, the frontal plane splits you front and back, and the transverse plane cuts you into top and bottom sections.
Flexion and extension happen in the sagittal plane - think bending and straightening your elbow. Abduction and adduction occur in the frontal plane (moving away from or towards your body's midline). Rotational movements happen in the transverse plane.
Some movements are joint-specific. Dorsi flexion and plantar flexion only happen at your ankle (pulling toes up or pointing them down). Circumduction creates cone-shaped movements at ball and socket joints, like winding up for a cricket bowl.
The table on this page shows which muscles create specific movements at major joints. Learning these muscle-joint combinations is essential for understanding how athletic movements work and for your exams.
Study Smart: Focus on the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle movements first - these appear in most exam questions and cover the majority of sporting actions.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user