Musculoskeletal & Connective Tissue Disorders: Pathophysiology & Pharmacology

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering pathophysiology and pharmacology topics for musculoskeletal and connective tissue autoimmune disorders.

Autoimmune Disorders

Chronic, progressive, self-perpetuating, and currently incurable conditions in which antibodies are mistakenly directed against the body's own healthy normal cells.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A chronic, systemic, autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting joints and connective tissue, characterized by symmetrical joint involvement, swelling, erythema, and morning stiffness lasting more than $30\,min$.

Methotrexate

A prototype DMARD I drug classified as cytotoxic chemotherapy that alters the inflammatory response to slow disease progression in RA, taking $3 - 6\,weeks$ for initial therapeutic effect.

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Antagonists

DMARD II medications, such as Etanercept and Infliximab, that block inflammatory proteins to reduce inflammation; live vaccines are contraindicated during treatment.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

A progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder causing immune attacks against multiple tissues and organ systems, characterized by alternating periods of remission and flares.

Scleroderma

An autoimmune disorder caused by excess collagen production, leading to thickening and tightening of the skin as well as potential involvement of internal organs such as the lungs, kidneys, GI tract, and heart.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

A localized, progressive, noninflammatory joint disease caused by mechanical stress deteriorating articular cartilage and bone, typically producing morning stiffness that lasts less than $30\,min$.

Osteomyelitis

Infection and inflammation of bone tissue and surrounding structures, categorized as acute (up to $1\,month$) or chronic (more than $1\,month$).

Sequestrum

An area of necrotic (dead) bone tissue that becomes separated from healthy surrounding bone during osteomyelitis.

Involucrum

A sheath of newly formed bone surrounding necrotic bone tissue (sequestrum) formed during the process of osteomyelitis.

Scoliosis

A structural alteration of the spine characterized by a lateral curvature to the left or right.

Lordosis

A spinal deformity where the lower back (lumbar spine) curves excessively inward.

Kyphosis

A spinal deformity where the upper back (thoracic spine) curves forward, creating a hump.

Gout

A systemic disorder of purine metabolism resulting in hyperuricemia and deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joint spaces, frequently affecting the big toe.

Colchicine

An anti-inflammatory drug used for acute gout attacks that decreases inflammation; patients must avoid grapefruit juice and maintain a fluid intake of $2.5 - 3\,L$ daily.

Allopurinol

A uric acid–lowering agent used in chronic gout and hyperuricemia that acts by inhibiting uric acid production.

Osteoclasts

Specialized bone cells responsible for bone resorption by breaking down and removing older bone tissue.

Osteoblasts

Bone-building cells that lay down collagen and mineral deposits to construct new bone tissue and maintain bone mineral density.

Osteoporosis

A condition characterized by reduced bone mass and density occurring when osteoclastic bone resorption exceeds osteoblastic bone formation, significantly increasing fracture risk.

Teriparatide (Forteo)

A parathyroid hormone (PTH) analog administered by daily subcutaneous injection to treat osteoporosis by stimulating new bone formation.

Romosozumab (Evenity)

A dual-action osteoporosis medication that builds new bone while slowing bone loss, administered as two subcutaneous injections once monthly for $1\,year$.

Denosumab (Prolia)

A monoclonal antibody for high-fracture-risk osteoporosis that increases bone mass, administered subcutaneously once every $6\,months$.

Calcium Citrate

A prototype calcium supplement that elevates available blood calcium levels; excessive doses can lead to hypercalcemia above $10.5\,mg/dL$.

Raloxifene

A prototype Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) that decreases bone resorption to preserve bone density, with adverse risks including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Alendronate (Fosamax)

A prototype bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption; patients must take it on an empty stomach with $8\,oz$ of water and remain upright for at least $30\,min$ to prevent esophagitis.

Calcitonin

A hormone drug used to treat (not prevent) osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclastic resorption and promoting renal calcium excretion; contraindicated in patients with a salmon protein allergy.

Chvostek's Sign

A physical sign of hypocalcemia indicated when tapping the facial nerve in front of the ear causes involuntary twitching of the facial muscles.

Trousseau's Sign

A physical sign of hypocalcemia characterized by carpopedal spasms of the wrist and hand occurring after inflating a blood pressure cuff above systolic pressure for $3 - 5\,min$.