Chapter 3: The Skeletal System Notes

Flashcards covering the structures, functions, bones, joints, pathology, and treatment procedures of the skeletal system based on Chapter 3.

Bones

Act as the framework of the body and support and protect the internal organs.

Joints

Also known as articulations, these work in conjunction with muscles, ligaments, and tendons to make possible the wide variety of body movements.

Calcium

A mineral required for normal nerve and muscle function that is stored in bones.

Red bone marrow

Located within spongy bone, it plays an important role in the formation of blood cells.

Ossification

The process of cartilage turning to bone, occurring from age three months through adolescence and continuing to repair damage throughout a lifetime.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down old or damaged bone.

Osteoblast

Cells that help rebuild the bone.

Periosteum

The fibrous outer covering of bones.

Compact bone

Also known as cortical bone, this is dense, hard, very strong bone that forms the protective outer layer and makes up $75\%$ of bone matter.

Spongy bone

Also known as cancellous bone, this is porous (sponge-like) bone that is lighter and weaker than compact bone and commonly contains red bone marrow.

Medullary cavity

The central cavity in the shaft of long bones, surrounded by compact bone, which serves as storage for red and yellow marrow.

Endosteum

The tissue lining the medullary cavity.

Yellow bone marrow

Functions as a fat storage area; in children, some red bone marrow gradually turns into this from birth to adolescence.

Diaphysis

The shaft of a long bone.

Epiphyses

The wider ends of long bones.

Foramen

An opening through which blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments pass, such as the foramen magnum.

Process

A normal projection on the surface of a bone that most commonly serves as an attachment for a muscle or tendon.

Fibrous joints

Inflexible layers of dense connective tissue; in adults they are called sutures, and in children under $1$ year they are called fontanelles.

Cartilaginous joints

Joints that allow slight movement, such as the area where ribs connect to the sternum or the pubic symphysis.

Synovial joints

Joints that permit a variety of movement, including ball-and-socket joints and hinge joints.

Ball-and-socket joints

Joints that allow a wide range of movement in many directions, such as the hips and shoulders.

Hinge joints

Joints that allow movement primarily in one direction or plane, such as the knees and elbows.

Axial Skeleton

One of two basic parts of the skeleton consisting of $80$ bones including the skull, vertebral column, and ribs.

Appendicular Skeleton

One of two basic parts of the skeleton consisting of $126$ bones including the four limbs and the pelvis.

Auditory ossicles

Three tiny bones located in the middle ear: the malleus, incus, and stapes.

Carpals

Eight bones that form the wrist and create the narrow bony passage known as the carpal tunnel.

Phalanges

The bones of the fingers or toes; there are $14$ in the fingers ($3$ for each finger, $2$ for the thumb) and similar counts for toes.

Cervical vertebrae

The first seven vertebrae that form the neck.

Thoracic vertebrae

Vertebrae $T1$ through $T12$ which have ribs attached.

Lumbar vertebrae

Vertebrae $L1$ through $L5$ which form the inward curve of the spine.

Tibia

The larger, anterior weight-bearing bone of the lower leg, commonly known as the shinbone.

Calcaneus

The heel bone, which is the largest of the tarsal bones.

Orthopedic surgeon

A physician specializing in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders involving the bones, joints, and muscles.

Rheumatologist

A physician specializing in arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, and tendinitis characterized by inflammation in the joints and connective tissues.

Adhesive capsulitis

Also known as frozen shoulder; a condition of ankylosis caused by adhesions.

Subluxation

The partial displacement of a bone from its joint.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis; a degenerative joint disease often involving the formation of osteophytes (bone spurs).

Gout

A type of arthritis characterized by deposits of urate crystals in the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

A chronic autoimmune disorder where joints and some organs of other body systems are attacked.

Kyphosis

An outward curvature of the spine, also known as hunchback.

Lordosis

A forward curvature of the spine, also known as swayback.

Scoliosis

A lateral curvature of the spine.

Osteoporosis (OP)

A marked loss of bone density and increase in bone porosity frequently associated with aging.

Osteopenia

A condition of thinner-than-average bone density in someone who does not yet have osteoporosis.

Comminuted fracture

A fracture in which the bone is splintered or crushed.

Greenstick fracture

An incomplete fracture in which one side of the bone is broken and the other side is only bent.

Spiral fracture

A fracture in which the bone has been twisted apart.

Arthroscopy

Visual examination of the internal structure of a joint using an arthroscope.

Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

A low-exposure radiographic measurement of the spine and hips used to measure bone density.

Arthrodesis

The surgical fusion of two bones to stiffen a joint.

Arthroplasty

The repair of a damaged joint through resurfacing of bones or surgical placement of an artificial joint.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty

The injection of bone cement to stabilize osteoporosis-related compression fractures.

Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF)

A surgical procedure performed to realign a fracture when closed reduction is not practical.