The cytoskeleton or cellular skeleton is a complex network of protein filaments characteristic of the highly organized cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, consisting of at least three types of structures: actin filaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules. The cytoskeleton represents an evolutionary breakthrough of the eukaryotic cell over the prokaryotic cell. It gives animal cells their shape, allows the movement of cells and cell parts, and the anchoring of cell organelles and cytoplasmic enzymes to a specific location, thereby maintaining optimal spatial arrangement within the cell itself. This dynamic structure with its motility enables the distribution of chromosomes during mitosis, fertilization, embryonic development, the functioning of the immune system and musculature. Research on model organisms provides insights into numerous genes and their coding proteins that are related to the structure and organization of the cytoselet. The discovery of human malformations and diseases related to the fibers that make up the cytoskeleton demonstrates the importance of knowing the functional role of these fibers in the growth and development of the organism. This knowledge is important for further understanding of human diseases related to the cytoskeleton, as well as for their diagnosis and therapy.