Musculoskeletal System and Human Movement

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the musculoskeletal system and human movement, focusing on bone structure, function, and pathology.

Musculoskeletal System

The organ system that enables humans and other animals to move using the muscular and skeletal systems.

Biomechanics

The study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms.

Lever System

A simple machine that consists of a beam or rigid rod pivoted at a fixed hinge, allowing movement.

Compact Bone

The dense, outer layer of bone that provides strength and support.

Spongy Bone

A lightweight, porous bone found at the ends of long bones and in the interior of others, known for its shock absorption.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down bone tissue, playing a key role in bone resorption.

Osteoblasts

Cells that create new bone tissue by depositing minerals and collagen.

Homeostatic Imbalance

A disruption of homeostasis that may lead to disease or dysfunction, such as fractures or osteoporosis.

Fracture

A break in the continuity of bone, classified by alignment, completeness, and whether the bone penetrates the skin.

Axial Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the limb bones and the bones that anchor them to the axial skeleton.

Long Bones

Bones characterized by being longer than they are wide, like the femur and humerus.

Flat Bones

Bones that are relatively flat in shape and play a role in protection and muscle attachment, such as the ribs and sternum.

Short Bones

Bones that are approximately as long as they are wide, such as the carpals in the wrist.

Irregular Bones

Bones that have a complex shape and do not fit into the other categories, such as vertebrae.

Bone Remodeling

The process of bone renewal through resorption and deposition of bone tissue, maintaining bone strength.

Osteoporosis

A condition characterized by weakened bones, increasing the risk of fractures.

Diaphysis

The long central part or shaft of a long bone.

Epiphysis

The end part of a long bone, initially growing separately from the shaft.

Calcium Homeostasis

The regulation of calcium levels in the blood, crucial for bone strength and health.

Mechanical Function of Bone

The roles bones play in support, protection, and enabling movement through attachment points for muscles.

Tubercle

A small, rounded projection or protuberance on a bone, serving as an attachment point for muscles.

Depressed Fracture

A fracture common in the skull, where a portion of bone is pushed inward.

Greenstick Fracture

An incomplete fracture often seen in children, where the bone bends rather than breaks completely.

Compression Fracture

A fracture that occurs when the bone is crushed, often seen in vertebrae.

Comminuted Fracture

A fracture in which the bone is broken into several pieces.