Structure, Function, and Alterations of the Musculoskeletal System & Vitamins/Minerals

A detailed set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering the musculoskeletal system's anatomy, physiology, common pathologies, diagnostic tests, and the roles of vital vitamins and minerals.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells that build up bone and eventually transition into osteocytes.

Osteoclasts

Elements responsible for bone resorption and breakdown using lysosomes filled with hydrolytic enzymes.

Osteocytes

Cells that maintain bone structure by activating osteoblasts and osteoclasts and responding to parathyroid hormone.

Collagen fibers

Fibers developed from osteoblasts that provide bone with tensile strength and anchor articular cartilage.

Compact bone

Also known as cortical bone, it is solid, extremely strong, makes up $85\%$ of the skeleton, and is built upon the Haversian system.

Spongy bone

Also known as cancellous bone, it makes up $15\%$ of the skeleton, contains red bone marrow, and uses trabeculae rather than a Haversian system.

Periosteum

A connective tissue covering all bones with an outer layer containing blood vessels and an inner layer with collagenous fibers for attaches.

Ligament

A type of connective tissue that connects bones to other bones.

Tendon

A type of connective tissue that connects bones to muscles.

Axial skeleton

The part of the skeleton consisting of the skull, spine, and thorax.

Appendicular skeleton

The part of the skeleton consisting of the appendices.

Diaphysis

The shaft of a long bone that contains yellow marrow (fat).

Metaphysis

The ends of a long bone that contain red marrow (fat).

Epiphyseal plate

Known as the growth plate, it allows for the growth of bone length before puberty.

Epiphyseal line

The structure formed after puberty when the epiphyseal plate calcifies and merges the diaphysis and metaphysis.

Synarthrosis

A classification of joints that are immovable and often fibrous, such as the skull.

Amphiarthrosis

A classification of joints that are slightly movable and cartilaginous, such as the symphysis pubis.

Diarthrosis

A classification of joints that are freely movable and synovial, such as knees, elbows, and shoulders.

Articular cartilage

A layer covering bony joint surfaces that reduces friction, lacks blood vessels and nerves, and regenerates slowly.

Synovial fluid

Fluid that lubricates and nourishes joint surfaces and contains leukocytes to phagocytize debris.

Fascicles

Bundles of muscle fibers packaged together within the muscle organ.

Sarcomeres

The functional motor and contractile units of muscle fibers that respond to stimuli as a single entity.

Ryanodine receptors ($RyRs$)

The primary ion channels that control the release of calcium in muscles.

Oxygen debt

The amount of oxygen required to convert lactic acid waste back to glucose and replenish muscle fuels.

Isometric contraction

A contraction where muscle length remains constant as tension increases, resulting in no limb movement.

Isotonic contraction

A contraction where the muscle maintains constant tension while moving, including lengthening or shortening.

Sarcopenia

The age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and bulk.

Complete fracture

A bone break where the continuity is broken all the way through.

Incomplete fracture

A bone break where the bone is damaged but remains in one piece.

Comminuted fracture

A bone fracture resulting in more than $2$ fragments.

Greenstick fracture

An incomplete fracture characterized by a small crack in the bone.

Nonunion

The failure of bone ends to grow back together following a fracture.

Subluxation

A condition where the contact between bones in a joint is only partially lost.

Strain

A tear or injury specifically occurring to a tendon.

Sprain

A tear or injury specifically occurring to a ligament.

Avulsion

The complete separation of a tendon or ligament from its bony attachment point.

Epicondylitis

Inflammation of a tendon where it attaches to a bone, classified as lateral (tennis elbow) or medial (golfer's elbow).

Rhabdomyolysis

A life-threatening rapid breakdown of muscle causing the release of intracellular contents and myoglobin into the bloodstream.

Osteoporosis

A condition of porous, poorly mineralized bone resulting in a bone tissue loss of more than $30\%Subluxation$.

Osteomalacia

Known as soft bones, this condition is caused by a Vitamin D deficiency that lowers intestinal calcium absorption.

Paget Disease

A state of increased metabolic activity characterized by excessive bone resorption and formation, enlarging and softening bones.

Osteomyelitis

An infectious bone disease where infection spreads to the shaft or marrow, potentially causing bone death via ischemia.

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease involving the loss of articular cartilage, sclerosis of bone, and formation of bone spurs.

Rheumatoid Factors ($RFs$)

Autoantibodies present in the blood or joints of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

A chronic inflammatory joint disease of the spine that causes the vertebrae to fuse.

Gout

A metabolic disorder characterized by high levels of uric acid in the blood and excruciating joint pain.

Tophi

Small, white visible nodules on the skin caused by the deposit of uric acid crystals.

Allopurinol

A daily medication that lowers the production of uric acid in the body and bloodstream.

Colchicine

An $NSAID$ specifically used to treat pain and inflammation during acute gout flare-ups.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A condition caused by increased pressure on the median nerve in the forearm or wrist.

Vitamin A

A fat-soluble vitamin (retinol) essential for night vision, skin integrity, and bone growth.

Vitamin D

A fat-soluble vitamin (ergocalciferol) that helps the body use calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones.

Vitamin K

A fat-soluble vitamin (phytonadione) that aids blood coagulation and serves as an antidote to warfarin.

Pellagra

A deficiency of Vitamin $B_3$ (niacin) characterized by diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and death.

Pernicious anemia

A condition caused by Vitamin $B_{12}$ (cyanocobalamin) deficiency, often due to a lack of intrinsic factor.

Scurvy

A deficiency of Vitamin C resulting in gingivitis, bleeding, and ruptured capillaries.