Skeletal System, Joints, Muscles, and Movements

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomical structure of the skeleton, joint types, muscle classifications, contraction types, and anatomical movement terminology.

Axial section

Refers to the core and head of the skeletal system.

Appendicular skeleton

Refers to the limbs of the skeletal system.

Vertebrae

The 33 total bones in the spine, separated by discs that keep the spine flexible and absorb shock, surrounding the central spinal cord.

Cervical vertebrae

The region of the spine containing 7 vertebrae.

Thoracic vertebrae

The region of the spine containing 12 vertebrae.

Lumbar vertebrae

The region of the spine containing 5 vertebrae.

Sacrum

A lower region of the spine consisting of 5 fused vertebrae.

Coccyx

The lowest region of the spine consisting of 4 fused vertebrae.

Cranium

The part of the skull that consists of 8 fused together bones.

Face bones

The structural bones of the face, consisting of 14 bones.

Thorax / Rib cage

Protects vital organs such as the heart and lungs, consisting of 10 true ribs and 2 floating ribs.

Compact bone tissue

Heavy, dense, and strong tissue that covers the complete bone and is thickest at the centre of the shaft.

Hinge joints

Synovial joints only capable of one movement forward and back (e.g., knee, elbow).

Ball and socket joints

Synovial joints where one bone has a rounded end that fits into another bone, allowing for a wider range of motion (e.g., hip, shoulder).

Pivot joints

Synovial joints allowing bones to spin and twist around other bones with rotation around a central axis (e.g., radius, ulna, neck).

Gliding joints

Synovial joints that allow bones to glide past each other (e.g., tarsals, carpals).

Saddle joints

Synovial joints allowing for side to side and back and forth movement (e.g., thumb).

Condyloid joints

Synovial joints allowing sideways, backwards, and forward movement (e.g., wrist).

Skeletal muscles

Voluntary muscles attached to the bone that allow for movement.

Smooth muscles

Involuntary muscles that line blood vessels and walls of the digestive system.

Cardiac muscles

Involuntary muscles that make up the walls of the heart.

Reciprocal inhibition

The process where muscles work in a team to produce movement, where the agonist shortens while the antagonist lengthens.

Agonist

The muscle responsible for movement, which shortens in length as the movement occurs.

Antagonist

The opposing muscle during a movement, which lengthens while the agonist shortens.

Slow twitch fibres

Red muscle fibres best suited to endurance work such as triathlons.

Fast twitch fibres

White muscle fibres best suited for short duration work like a sprint.

Isotonic contractions

Muscle contractions occurring when muscles shorten or lengthen as tension is developed.

Concentric contraction

An isotonic contraction where a muscle shortens under tension.

Eccentric contraction

An isotonic contraction where a muscle lengthens under tension.

Isometric contraction

Contraction occurring when muscles contract and produce tension without producing any movement (e.g., holding shopping bags).

Isokinetic contraction

Contraction where muscle tension remains constant throughout a range of motion, achievable only with specialized gym equipment.

Flexion

Movement that decreases the angle between bones.

Extension

Movement that increases the angle between bones.

Abduction

Movement of a bone away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement of a body part towards the midline of the body.

Supination

Rotation of the palm of the hand upwards.

Pronation

Rotation of the palm of the hand downwards.

Eversion

Movement of the sole of the foot outwards at the ankle.

Inversion

Movement of the sole of the foot inwards at the ankle.

Rotation

Movement of bones around a central axis.

Circumduction

Movement of a bone in a circular motion, such as moving a straight arm in a circle to form a cone shape.