Bones play an important part in the overall function of your body. They provide a frame for your body, they protect vital organs such as your heart, and they even produce blood that is used by your body. When you walk or run, it is because your bones and muscles are working together. If we had no bones in our bodies, we would just collapse like a big glob of jelly. If you tap your chest you feel your breastbone (sternum) protecting the structures underneath such as your heart and lungs.

Run your hands down your back and you feel your backbone which gives you support. The spinal column or vertebrae lets you stand upright and protects the spinal cord, which is part of the nervous system. When the spinal cord is damaged, people are often paralyzed or lose function in some part of their bodies, so protecting this structure is very important.