AH105 Ch3 skeletal system terms

Acetabulum

The large cup-shaped cavity (socket) at the junction of the hipbone that receives the head of the femur.

Allogenic

Originating within another; specifically, bone marrow or tissue obtained from a compatible donor.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

A form of rheumatoid arthritis that primarily causes inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae and eventually causes the spine to stiffen.

Arthrodesis

The surgical fusion (joining) of two bones to stiffen a joint, such as the ankle or elbow.

Arthroscopy

The visual examination of the internal structure of a joint using an arthroscope.

Autologous

Originating within an individual; specifically, tissue or blood taken from the patient's own body for their own use.

Avascular Necrosis

The death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply.

Bone Marrow Transplant

A procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells.

Chondromalacia

The abnormal softening of cartilage.

Costochondritis

Inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the sternum (breastbone).

Crepitation

The grating sound heard when the ends of a broken bone move together.

Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)

A low-exposure radiographic measurement of spine and hip density used to diagnose osteoporosis.

Fat Embolus A process where fat tissue passes into the bloodstream and lodges within a blood vessel (often after a fracture of a long bone).

Gout

A type of arthritis characterized by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints.

Hallux Valgus

An abnormal enlargement of the joint at the base of the great toe (commonly known as a bunion).

Hemarthrosis

Blood within a joint space.

Hematopoietic

Pertaining to the formation of blood cells.

Internal Fixation

A surgical procedure that stabilizes and joins the ends of fractured bones by use of metal plates, pins, or screws.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

A type of arthritis in children ages 16 or younger that causes joint swelling and stiffness.

Kyphosis

An abnormal increase in the outward curvature of the thoracic spine (humpback).

Laminectomy

The surgical removal of a lamina or posterior portion of a vertebra.

Lordosis

An abnormal increase in the forward curvature of the lumbar spine (swayback).

Lumbago

Pain in the lumbar region of the spine (lower back pain).

Malleolus

The rounded bony protuberance on each side of the ankle.

Manubrium

The bony structure that forms the upper portion of the sternum.

Metatarsals

The five bones that form the part of the foot between the ankle and the toes.

Myeloma

A cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell (found in bone marrow).

Open Fracture

A fracture in which the bone is broken and there is an open wound in the skin.

Orthopedic Surgeon

A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders involving the bones, joints, and muscles.

Osteitis

Inflammation of a bone.

Osteoarthritis

A type of arthritis most commonly associated with aging (wear-and-tear arthritis).

Osteochondroma

A benign bony projection covered with cartilage.

Osteoclasis

The surgical fracture of a bone to correct a deformity.

Osteomalacia

Abnormal softening of bones in adults (often caused by Vitamin D deficiency).

Osteomyelitis

Inflammation of the bone and bone marrow, usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Osteonecrosis

The death of bone tissue due to insufficient blood supply.

Osteopenia

Thinner than average bone density (a precursor to osteoporosis).

Osteoporosis

A marked loss of bone density and an increase in bone porosity frequently associated with aging.

Osteorrhaphy

The surgical suturing or wiring together of bones.

Paget's Disease

A bone disease of unknown cause characterized by the excessive breakdown of bone tissue, followed by abnormal bone formation.

Pathologic Fracture

A bone break that occurs when a bone is weakened by a disease (such as cancer or osteoporosis).

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

A minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to treat osteoporosis-related compression fractures.

Periosteum

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

Podiatrist

A specialist who diagnoses and treats disorders of the foot.

Prosthesis

A substitute for a diseased or missing body part, such as an artificial leg.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A chronic autoimmune disorder in which the joints and some organs of other body systems are attacked.

Rickets

A deficiency disease occurring in children involving defective bone growth due to Vitamin D deficiency.

Scoliosis

An abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.

Spina Bifida

A congenital defect that occurs during early pregnancy when the spinal canal fails to close completely around the spinal cord.

Spiral Fracture

A fracture in which the bone has been twisted apart.

Spondylolisthesis

The forward slipping movement of the body of one of the lower lumbar vertebrae on the vertebra or sacrum below it.

Spondylosis

A degenerative disorder that can cause the loss of normal spinal structure and function.

Subluxation

The partial displacement of a bone from its joint.

Synovectomy

The surgical removal of a synovial membrane from a joint.

Vertebrae

The bony units that form the spinal column.