<P> It is made up of the bones of the skeleton, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue that supports and binds tissues and organs together . The musculoskeletal system's primary functions include supporting the body, allowing motion, and protecting vital organs . The skeletal portion of the system serves as the main storage system for calcium and phosphorus and contains critical components of the hematopoietic system . </P> <P> This system describes how bones are connected to other bones and muscle fibers via connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments . The bones provide stability to the body . Muscles keep bones in place and also play a role in the movement of bones . To allow motion, different bones are connected by joints . Cartilage prevents the bone ends from rubbing directly onto each other . Muscles contract to move the bone attached at the joint . </P> <P> There are, however, diseases and disorders that may adversely affect the function and overall effectiveness of the system . These diseases can be difficult to diagnose due to the close relation of the musculoskeletal system to other internal systems . The musculoskeletal system refers to the system having its muscles attached to an internal skeletal system and is necessary for humans to move to a more favorable position . Complex issues and injuries involving the musculoskeletal system are usually handled by a physiatrist (specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation) or an orthopaedic surgeon . </P> <P> The skeletal system serves many important functions; it provides the shape and form for the body, support and protection, allows bodily movement, produces blood for the body, and stores minerals . The number of bones in the human skeletal system is a controversial topic . Humans are born with over 300 bones; however, many bones fuse together between birth and maturity . As a result, an average adult skeleton consists of 206 bones . The number of bones varies according to the method used to derive the count . While some consider certain structures to be a single bone with multiple parts, others may see it as a single part with multiple bones . There are five general classifications of bones . These are long bones, short bones, flat bones, irregular bones, and sesamoid bones . The human skeleton is composed of both fused and individual bones supported by ligaments, tendons, muscles and cartilage . It is a complex structure with two distinct divisions; the axial skeleton, which includes the vertebral column, and the appendicular skeleton . </P>

Who deals with injuries to the musculoskeletal system