| The adult human body contains roughly 206 bones, | | | | "wear out", and where problems are most likely to |
| both fused and individual, which are supported by a | | | | occur. Along with explanations of nutrient exchange |
| system of ligaments, tendons, muscles and cartilage. | | | | which keeps bones strong, and an explanation of |
| Together, this miracle of calcium and tissue allows us | | | | articular cartilage, the strong, elastic tissue that |
| to run, jump, climb and even thread a needle or | | | | covers the ends of bones in joints and enables them |
| operate a computer via its keyboard. Without it, we | | | | to move smoothly over one another. Different |
| would be less than slugs, but we rarely think about | | | | sections also describe and explain the symptoms, risk |
| bones until we break one, or until time forces us to | | | | factors and possible treatment options for |
| consider the combined effects of gravity and age. | | | | osteoarthritis, including diet and lifestyle changes. |
| No doctor's or orthopedic surgeon's office can be | | | | The Understanding Osteoporosis chart, which explains |
| considered complete without a Skeletal System | | | | bone loss and "brittle bone" for the 28 million |
| chart, which shows the bones in the human body | | | | Americans (not all of them women) suffering from |
| from both the front and rear. Diagrams within the | | | | this age-related disease, is another essential for |
| chart also display and describe such skeletal features | | | | doctor's offices. Unchecked, osteoporosis can lead to |
| as the bones of the inner ear, important in | | | | serious health consequences like vertebral or hip |
| maintaining balance, and the bones of the female | | | | fractures that leave the elderly dependent on nursing |
| pelvis, integral to gestation and birth. In addition, a | | | | homes or permanent care. By demonstrating and |
| complete diagram of the spinal column shows how | | | | explaining the bone growth and bone density loss |
| attached bones of the neck, thorax and lower back | | | | cycles, this chart also enables physicians to promote |
| maintain the curvature needed for this balancing act. | | | | early treatment for older women most at risk for |
| Each bone is listed with its anatomical (and common) | | | | osteoporosis (namely those females under 130 |
| name, enabling doctors, surgeons and teachers to | | | | pounds of Caucasian and Asian descent who smoke |
| explain this complex miracle of upright stature to | | | | or do not get sufficient exercise), and suggests |
| patients and students. | | | | dietary and lifestyle changes that can preserve |
| Unfortunately, as we age - or if we have indulged in | | | | existing bone |
| heavy physical work or extreme sports - bones | | | | A final chart, The Musculoskeletal System, is a good, |
| undergo wear and tear, leading to inflammation of | | | | all-purpose tool for demonstrating how muscles |
| joints, which can cause swelling, pain and stiffness. | | | | support bones. Additional diagrams detail the vertebral |
| Also known as degenerative arthritis, this condition | | | | column and the nature of a synovial joint. Each bone |
| can lead to complete debilitation if not treated. The | | | | and muscle is fully labeled, giving orthopedic surgeons |
| Understanding Osteoarthritis is a superb tool doctors | | | | a handy reference to explain to their patients the |
| can use to explain not only the mechanics of a | | | | need for lifestyle and dietary changes as age begins |
| healthy joint, but what happens when these joints | | | | its inevitable attack on human bone. |