Clinical Kinesiology - Skeletal System

compact bone

makes up the hard, dense, outer layer of all bones, which is the most opaque upon x-ray

cancellous bone

less dense latticework of trabeculae of the inner portion of the bone, primary at the ends of long bones (porous or spongy)

Wolff’s law

states that bone density increases for areas on which increased forces are imposed and decreases for areas on which forces are decreased

periosteum

thin fibrous membrane covering the entire surface of a bone, except the articular (joint) surface

epiphysis

region at each end of a bone, providing the articular surfaces of joints

In long bones this region is typically wider than the shaft

epiphyseal plate

cartilaginous material in growing bone

metaphysis

the region of long bone that serves as a transition from the epiphysis to diaphysis.

This region is a widening of a bone, composed of cancellous bone covered by a compact bone

diaphysis

main shaft of a bone, composed of an outer layer of compact bone, which gives bone strength

medullary canal

the hollow center which, among other features, decreases the weight of the bone

contains marrow and blood vessels

endosteum

a membrane lining the medullary canal, contains osteoclasts

osteoclasts

type of bone cell primarily responsible for bone resorption, a process by which old bone is broken down so it can be replaced with new bone

osteoblasts

type of bone cell primarily responsible for formation of bone

long bones

named because their length is greater than their width

largest bone in the body, making up most of the appendicular skeleton

(humerus, femur,

short bone

typically have more equal dimensions of height, length, and width, giving them a cube-like shape

(carpal bones of the wrist and tarsal bones of the foot)

flat bones

have a broad surface, are not very thick, and tend to have a curved, rather than a flat, surface

(ilium, scapula, many of the cranial bones)

irregular bone

have a variety of shapes, their unique shapes allow them to fulfil particular function

sesamoid bones

also termed accessory bones, are small bones located where tendons cross the ends of long bones in the extremities

osteoporosis

condition characterized by loss of normal bone mass

osteopenia

also a condition of reduced bone mass, though not as severe as osteoporosis

osteomyelitis

infection of the bone caused by bacteria

foramen

hole through which blood vessels, nerves, and ligament pass

fossa

hollow or depression

groove

long, narrow channel containing a tendon, nerve, or blood vessel

meatus

canal or tube-like opening in a bone

sinus

air or fluid-filled cavity