Medical Terminology for Health Professions: Chapter 3

ankyl/o

crooked, bent, stiff

arthr/o

joint

chondr/i, chondr/o

cartilage

cost/o

rib

crani/o

skull

-desis

to tie, bind together

kyph/o

bent, hump

lord/o

curve, swayback, bent

-lysis

loosening or setting free

myel/o

spinal cord, bone marrow

oss/e, oss/i, ost/o, oste/o

bone

scoli/o

curved, bent

spondyl/o

vertebrae, vertebral column, backbone

synovi/o, synov/o

synovial membrane

-um

singular noun ending

ossification

the normal process of bone formation

osteoclasts

break down old or damaged bone

osteoblasts

help rebuild bone

periosteum

the tough, fibrous tissue that forms the outermost covering of bone

compact bone (cortical bone)

the dense, hard, and very strong bone that forms the protective outer layer of bones

spongy bone (cancellous bone)

the lighter and not as strong compact bone

medullary cavity

the central cavity located in the shaft of long bones where it is surrounded by compact bone; where red and yellow bone marrow are stored

endosteum

the tissue that lines the medullary cavity

red bone marrow (located in the spongy bone)

a hemopoietic tissue that manufactures red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and thrombocytes

hemopoietic

pertaining to the formation of blood cells

yellow bone marrow

functions as fat storage area; composed of fat cells and is located in the medullary cavity of long bones

cartilage

smooth, rubbery, blue-white connective tissue that acts as a shock absorber between bones

articular cartilage

covers the surfaces of bone where they come together to form joints; makes smooth joint movement possible and keeps bones from rubbing against each other

meniscus

the curved fibrous cartilage found in some joints (ex. in the knee and temporomandibular joint of the jaw)

diaphysis

the shaft of a long bone

epiphyses

the wider ends of long bones

foramen

an opening in a bone through which blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments pass

process

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

joints (articulations)

the place of union between two or more bones

fibrous joints

hold bones tightly together; consist of inflexible layers of dense connective tissue

fontanelles (soft spots)

present on the skull of a newborn; allow the passage of the infant through the birth canal; allow for growth of skull during the first year

cartilaginous joints

allow only slight movement and conist of bones connected entirely by cartilage

pubic symphysis

allows some movement to facilitate childbirth

synovial joint

created where two bones articulate (to come together) to permit a variety of motion

ball-and-socket joints

allow a wide range of movements in many directions (ex. hips and shoulders)

hinge joints

synovial joints that allow movement primarily in one direction or plane (ex. knees and elbows)

synovial capsule

the outermost layer of a strong fibrous tissue that resembles a sleeve as it surrounds the joint

synovial membrane

lines the capsule and secretes fluid

synovial fluid

acts as a lubricant to make smooth movement of joint possible; flows within the synovial cavity

ligaments

are bands of fibrous tissue that form joints by connecting one bone to another bone or by joining a bone to cartilage

bursa

a fibrous sac that acts a cushion to ease movement in areas that are subject to friction (ex. in the shoulder, elbow, and knee where a tendon passes over a bone)

axial skeleton

protects the major organs of the nervous, respiratory, and circulatory systems; five parts: skull, ossicles of the middle ear, hyoid, rib cage, vertebral column

appendicular skeleton

makes body movement possible and also protects the organs of digestion, excretion, and reproduction; separated into upper extremities (shoulders, arms, forearms, wrists, and hands) and lower extremities (hips, thighs, legs, ankles, and feet)

appendage

anything that is attached to a major part of the body

skull

consists of the 8 bones that firm the cranium, 14 bones that form the face, and 6 bones in the middle ear

cranium

is the portion of the brain that encloses and protects the brain; consists of eight bones joined together by jagged fibrous joints called sutures; consists of the following bones

frontal bone

the anterior portion of the cranium that forms the forehead

parietal bones

form most of the roof and upper sides of the cranium; two of the largest bones of the skull

occipital bone

forms the back part of the skull and the base of the cranium

temporal bones

form the sides and base of the cranium

external auditory meatus

the opening of the external auditory canal of the outer ear; located within the temporal bone on each side of the skull

sphenoid bone

an irregular, wedge-shaped bone at base of skull; makes contact with all other cranial bones - helps form base of cranium, sides of skull, and floors and sides of eye sockets

ethmoid bone

light, spongy bone located at the roof and sides of the nose

auditory ossicles

three tiny bones located in each middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes)

nasal bones

two bones that form the upper part of the bridge of the nose

zygomatic bones (cheekbones)

articulate with the frontal bone that makes up forehead

maxillary bones (maxillae)

form most of the upper jaw (2 bones)

palatine bones

for the anterior part of the hard palate of the mouth and floor of the nose (2 bones)

lacrimal bones

make up part of the orbit at the inner angle (2 bones)

inferior chonchae

the thin, scroll-like bones that form part of the interior of the nose (2 bones)

vomer bone

forms the base for the nasal septum (the cartilage wall that divides the two cavities)

mandible

only movable bone of the skull; attached to the skull at the temporomandibular joint

thoracic cavity

the bony structure that protects the heart and lungs; consists of ribs, sternum, and upper portion of spinal column (excluding arms)

costals (ribs)

12 pairs of ribs that attach posteriorly to the thoracic vertebrae

true ribs

first seven pair of ribs that attach anteriorly to sternum

false ribs

next three pair of ribs that attach anteriorly to cartilage that connects them to sternum

floating ribs

last two pairs of ribs that are only attached posteriorly to vertebrae but not anteriorly attached

sternum

a flat, dagger-shaped bone located in the middle of the chest; three parts

manubrium

bony structure that forms upper portion of sternum

body of sternum

bony structure that forms middle portion of sternum

xiphoid process

structure made of cartilage that forms the lower portion of sternum

pectoral girdle

formed by the shoulders, which support the arms and hands

clavicle

a slender bone that connects the manubrium of the sternum to the scapula

scapula

shoulder blade

acromion

an extension of the scapula that forms the high point of the shoulder

humerus

the bone of the upper arm

radius

the smaller and shorter bone in the forearm

ulna

the larger and longer bone of the forearm; the proximal end of the ulna articulates with the distal end of the humerus to form the elbow joint

olecranon process (funny bone)

a large projection of the upper end of the ulna

carpals

the bones that form the wrist (eight bones)

metacarpals

five bones that form the palms of the hand

phalanges

the fourteen bones of the fingers (bones of toes are also called phalanges) (distal-outermost, middle, proximal-closest to palm)

spinal column (vertebral column)

protects the spinal cord and supports the head and body; consists of 26 vertebrae (each unit is called a vertebra)

body of the vertebra

the solid anterior portion of the vertebra that provides strength

lamina

the posterior portion of the vertebra; transverse and spinous processes extend from this area and serve as attachments for muscles and tendons

vertebral foramen

the opening in the middle of the vertebra; allows the spinal cord to pass through and protect the SC

intervertebral disks

separate and cushion the vertebrae from each other (cartilaginous); act as absorbers and allow for movement of the spinal column

cervical vertebrae (C1-C7)

the first set of 7 vertebrae, and they form the neck

thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12)

the second set of vertebrae; each thoracic vertebra has a pair of ribs attached to it

lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5)

the third set of 5 vertebrae; form the inward curve of the lower spine; the largest and strongest of vertebrae and bear most of body's weight

sacrum

slightly curved, triangular-shaped bone near the base of the spine that forms the lower portion of the back

coccyx (tailbone)

forms the end of the spine; made of 4 small vertebrae that are fused together

pelvic girdle

protects internal organs and supports the lower extremities; commonly known as pelvis (consists of ilium, ischium, and pubis) or hips

ilium

broad, blade-shaped bone that forms the back and sides of the pubic bone

sacroiliac

the slightly movable articulation between the sacrum and posterior portion of the ilium