The skeletal system is the structural framework of the human body, consisting of bones, cartilages, ligaments, and tendons. It performs several essential functions, including providing structural support for the body, protecting internal organs, facilitating movement, storing minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, and producing blood cells in the bone marrow. The human skeleton is divided into two main components: the axial skeleton, which includes the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum, and the appendicular skeleton, which includes the upper and lower limbs, as well as the shoulder and pelvic girdles. Bones are connected by joints, which allow movement between them.