The Skeletal System

appendicular

pertaining to a limb

The appendicular skeleton is made up of the bones that attach (append) to your axial skeleton. Your appendicular skeleton includes the bones in your shoulders, pelvis and limbs, including your arms, hands, legs and feet.

axial

The axial skeleton is made up of the bones in your head, neck, back and chest.

intercostal

between the ribs

orthopedics

The medical speciality that focuses on injuries and diseases of your body’s musculoskeletal system.

osteoblast

form new bones and add growth to existing bone tissues

osteoclast

dissolve and break down old and damaged bone tissue so it can be replaced with new, healtheir cells created by osteoblasts

osteocyte

mature bone cells that provide support to the bone

cartilage

the elastic connective tissue that is found at the ends of bones, nose tip, etc.

synovial membrane

the lining or covering of synovial joints

synovial fluid

the lubricating fluid found between synovial joints

ligament

the tough, elastic connective tissue that connects bone to bone

tendon

the fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone

bursa

the closed, fluid-filled sacs that works as a cushion

meniscus

c-shaped cartilage that act as shock absorbers between bones

flexion

bending or decreasing the angle of the joint

extension

straightening or increasing the angle of the joint

abduction

movement away from the midline of the body

adduction

movement toward the midline of the body

supination

rotation of the forearm that leads to the parlm facing up

pronation

rotation of the forearm that leads to the palm facing down

dorsiflexion

lifting of the front of the foot so the top of the foot moves upward

plantar flexion

lifting of the heel of the foot so the toes point downward

osteogenesis imperfecta

a genetic condtion where bones fracture easily. Also known as brittle bone disease

osteomalacia

a disease of adults that is characterized by softening of the bones

osteomyelitis

infections in a bone

osteonecrosis

necrosis of bone tissue that comes from a lack of blood flow

osteoma

a benign tumor where a new piece of bone grows into another piece of bone

osteopenia

weak bones. comes from low bone density. may not have symptoms. less severe than osteoporosis

osteoporosis

brittle bones that are subject to break easily. comes from very low bone density. osteoporosis is more serious than osteopenia

osteosarcoma

cancer within a bone

Paget’s disease

A disease causes you body to generate new bone faster than normal, the rapid remodeling produces bone that’s less than normal bone, which can lead to bone pain, deformities and fractures.

closed or simple

bones are broken but does not protrude the skin

open or compound

bones are broken and pierce through the skin

transverse

bone is broken straight across

spiral

bone has twisted apart

comminuted

bones are broken and crushed into pieces

greenstick

bones are partially broken; occurs mainly in children

stress

small crack in bone

kyphosis

an exaggerated, forward rounding of the upper back (humpback)

lordosis

an inward curve of the lumbar spine (just above the buttocks) . A small degree of lordosis is normal (swayback)

scoliosis

an abnormal lateral or sideways curvature of the spine

arthritis

inflammation of joins

arthralgia

joint pain

arthropathy

disease of a joint

bursitis

inflammation of the bursa

chondroma

benign tumor containing the cartilage

gout

an inflammatory arthritis caused when the immune system attacks the crystals that form when uric acid build up in a joint

hemarthrosis

hemorrhage of blood into a joint

osteoarthritis (OA)

A common form of arthritis typically with onset during middle or old age that is characterized by progressive degenerative changes in the cartilage of one or more joints (as of the knees, hips, and hands). With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. Also known as degenerative joint disease.

spondylarthritis

arthritis of the spine

degenerative joint disease

also known as osteoarthritis

rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body. RA mainly attacks the joints, usually many joints at once

arthrography

Procedure to examine a joint. A long, thin needle is used to put contrast dye right into the joint and a series of X-rays is taken with the joint in various positions. X-rays use small amounts of radiation to get pictures of the inside of the body

bone density test

An x-ray of the body that measures bone density. Low bone density is an indicator of osteopenia and osteoporosis

orthosis

An external medical device (such as a brace or splint) for supporting, immobilizing, or treating muscles, joints, or skeletal parts which are weak, ineffective, deformed, or injured

prosthesis

An artificial device to replace or augment a missing or impaired part of the body

range of motion (ROM)

How far and what direction you can move a joint or muscle

goniometer

An instrument for measuring angles or Instrument use to measure ROM

allograft

Transplant from one individual to another from the same species

amputation

the loss or removal of a body part such as a finger, toe, hand, foot, arm or leg

arthrocentesis

use of a thin needle to remove fluid from a joint

arthrodesis

when the bones of a joint are fused togethe to increase stability and decrease pain

arthroplasty

surgical repair of a joint

arthroscopy

a surgical procedure doctors use to look at, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint

autograft

a tissue or organ that is transplanted from one part to another of the same body

bursectomy

surgical removal or excision of inflamed bursa

patellectomy

surgical removal or excision of the patella (kneecap)

analgesic

drugs that reduces pain

bone resorption drugs

drugs that stops bone loss. Stops the breakdown and removal of bone tissue

corticosteroid

drug that reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system

chiropractor (DC)

A chiropractor is a health care professional focused on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders, with an emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine.

orthopedic surgeon

Orthopedic surgeons are devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.

osteopath (DO)

A doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) is a licensed physician who aims to improve people’s overall health and wellness by treating the whole person, not just a condition or disease they may have.
This includes osteopathic manipulative medicine, which involves stretching, massaging, and moving the musculoskeletal system.

physical therapist or physical therapy assistant (PT/PTA)

Physical therapists diagnose and treat patients who have medical problems or injuries that limit their abilities to move or function in their daily lives

podiatrist (PDM)

Podiatrists are medical specialists who help with problems that affect your feet or lower legs.