What is the common term for the bone structure supporting the body?

The skeletal system is the correct term for the bone structure that provides support to the body. It serves several essential functions, including support for the body, protection of vital organs, facilitation of movement by acting as an anchor point for muscles, storage of minerals, and housing of bone marrow which produces blood cells. The skeletal system consists of 206 bones in an adult, which together form a framework that enables the body to maintain its shape and resist gravitational forces.

The other options refer to different structures within the body: cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body; muscle tissue enables movement but does not provide the framework for support; while the nervous system is responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body, coordinating actions and responses. Understanding the distinction between these systems highlights the vital role of the skeletal system in maintaining bodily integrity and function.