Musculoskeletal System Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the musculoskeletal system's functions, bone types, physiology, disorders, and clinical procedures based on the lecture transcript.

Haematopoiesis

The formation of blood cells occurring in the bone marrow as a function of the musculoskeletal system.

Calcium phosphate

Identified by the formula $CaPO_4$, it is a primary mineral component required to make bones hard enough to support body weight.

Bone Metabolism

The lifelong, continuous process of breaking down old bone tissue and replacing it with new bone.

Vitamin A

A vitamin that helps keep osteoblasts functioning as the cells responsible for making new bone tissue.

Vitamin D

A fat-soluble vitamin synthesised by skin exposed to light that absorbs minerals into the blood vessels of the intestine; food sources include fish liver oils, eggs, milk, and butter.

Alkaline phosphate

An enzyme that regulates the levels of calcium in both the bone and the blood.

Human growth hormone

A hormone that stimulates the production of IGF-1 (insulin like growth factors) in the liver to promote cell division at growth plates and the periosteum in children.

Osteocalcin

A hormone released by bone cells that regulates blood sugar, fat deposition, and the mineralization of bones and teeth.

Periosteum

A dense fibrous membrane that covers the bones.

Osteoblasts

Cells that make new bone and help repair damage by secreting a matrix of collagen, other proteins, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.

Osteocytes

Cells that carry nutrients and waste products to and from blood vessels within the bone.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down old bone cells to release calcium into the blood; they help sculpt and shape bone and are highly active during growth and fracture repair.

Compact bone

Also called cortical bone, it is the solid, hard, ivory-like outside part of the bone that is extremely strong.

Cancellous bone

Also called spongy bone, it is located inside the compact bone and is made of a mesh-like network of tiny pieces called trabeculae.

Epiphyses

Points of ossification at the ends of long bones consisting of columns of multiplying cartilage cells that change into hard mineralised bone.

Diaphysis

The shaft of a long bone that contains compact tissue surrounding the medullary cavity.

Sesamoid bones

Small rounded bones that develop in tendons where there is friction, such as the patella in the knee or the pisiform bone in the wrist.

Yellow bone marrow

Located in the medullary cavity of long bones, it is primarily composed of adipose tissue and serves as an area for fat storage.

Red bone marrow

Found in cancellous bones of children and specific adult bones, it forms red blood cells, platelets, and some white blood cells.

Axial skeleton

Consists of 80 bones running along the medial sagittal plane of the body, protecting internal organs.

Foramen magnum

An opening in the occipital bone that communicates with the spinal cord.

Lachrymal bones

Bones located in the medial wall of the eye socket containing a duct that drains tears from the eye into the nasal cavity.

Mandible

The lower jaw bone, which is the only moveable bone of the skull.

Atlas (C1)

The first cervical vertebra which allows the head to move back and forward.

Axis (C2)

The second cervical vertebra which allows the head to rotate from side to side.

Floating ribs

Two pairs of ribs connected only to a thoracic vertebra that protect the stomach, liver, spleen, and kidneys.

Appendicular skeleton

Consists of 126 bones involved in movement, including the limbs and the girdles connecting them to the axial skeleton.

Synarthrotic joints

A classification for joints that are completely immovable.

Synovial joints

Freely movable joints that move in many directions, such as pivot, hinge, and ball-and-socket joints.

Abduction

Term for motion in joints describing the movement of a body part away from the midline.

Adduction

Term for motion in joints describing the movement of a body part toward the midline.

Ligaments

Bands of strong, thick fibrous collagen that bind bones to other bones to strengthen and stabilise joints.

Bursa

A fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion to reduce friction where tendons, ligaments, muscle, or skin pass over bone.

All or none law

A physiological law stating that each muscle cell, when stimulated, gives a full response or none at all.

Aponeurosis

Flat sheets of tendons specifically located in the abdominal wall.

Hyaline cartilage

Cartilage that covers articular bone surfaces, cushions the sternum and ribs against impact, and forms the flexible part of the nose.

Crepitation

A grating sound made by the movement of fractured bones or when bones rub against roughened cartilage.

Exostosis

An abnormal growth or bony projection arising from any bone that develops from cartilage.

Greenstick fracture

A fracture where the bone bends and splits but does not break completely, most common in children.

Colles' fracture

A fracture near the wrist joint at the lower end of the radius with dorsal displacement, sometimes called a dinner-fork fracture.

Ewing’s sarcoma

A malignant bone tumour usually occurring between ages 5 and 15, commonly affecting the mid-shafts of long bones or the trunk.

Avascular necrosis (AVN)

The death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply, also known as osteonecrosis or aseptic necrosis.

Osteomalacia

A softening of bone due to inadequate mineral levels, often caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D.

Osteomyelitis

Inflammation of the bone and bone marrow secondary to infection, most commonly caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

A chronic, progressive arthritis causing pain and stiffening, primarily in the spine and the sacroiliac joint.

Arthrocentesis

A surgical puncture performed to remove fluid from the joint space.

Arthroplasty

The surgical reduction or replacement of a painful, degenerated joint.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

A low-energy x-ray test used to measure bone density and detect osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Electromyography (EMG)

A recording of the strength of muscle contraction as a result of electrical stimulation, useful in diagnosing neuromuscular disorders.