skeletal system

Skeletal system

Consists of bones, cartilage, ligaments and other structures and tissues.

Composed of 206 bones.

Bones are joined together by ligaments at the joints/articulations.

Axial skeletal systems

Composed of bones of the skull and spinal column, hyoid bone in the throat, bones of the middle ear(ossicles), and bones of the ribcage.

80 bones in total

Appendicular skeletal system

Refers to the 126 bones of the upper and lower appendages.

Spinal column

Protects the spinal nerves of the nervous system.

Structure is called the vertebrae.

Cervical vertebrae

First 7 vertebrae protects the cervical spinal nerves of the neck

C1-C7

Thoracic vertebrae

T1-T12

Next 12 vertebrae.

Protects the spinal nerves of the thorax

Lumbar vertebrae

L1-L5

Next 5 vertebrae

Protects the spinal nerves of the lumbar region

Sacrum

Slightly curved triangular bony structure of lower back.

Formed by 5 vertebrae fused together

Coccyx

Tailbone

Formed by 3-5 vertebrae fused together

Bone anatomy

All bones have blood supply via blood vessels, nerve supply, and periosteum ( outside covering of bones)

Long bones

Contains 2 types of bone tissue: spongey and compact

Also has an internal cavity( medullary cavity) It holds red and yellow bone marrow

Joints

Also known as articulations

Fibrous joints

Inflexible layers of dense connective tissue and holds bones together

Cartilaginous joints

Only allow slight movement and connect bones with cartilage

Synovial joints

Where 2 bones connect to allow a wide range of motion.

Joints contain a synovial capsule, synovial membrane lining the capsule and fluid that keeps it lubricated

Ligaments

Connect one bone to another, or joins bone to cartilage

Bursa

Fiborous sac that acts as a cushion to ease movement where there is friction

Physiology of skeletal system

Bones support the internal organs and structures and uses muscles to protect

Bones connect to each other with ligaments and work with the muscles and tissues to form joints.

Joints allow movement

Calcium is stored in bones and is required for normal nerve and muscle function

Red bone marrow

Forms red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells.

Red blood cells

Carries oxygen from lungs to the body tissue and carbon dioxide from tissues to be eliminated through the lungs

Yellow bone marrow

Stores fat and produces red blood cells during a physical emergency

Joint conditions

Can lead to immobility

Ankylosis

Absence of mobility in joint due to disease, injury or surgical procedure

Arthrosclerosis

Stiffness of joint

Common in elderly

Bursitis

Inflammation of the bursa, or cushion sac

Chondromalacia

Abnormal softening in the cartilage in-joints causing pain with movement

Sprain

Ligament that connects bones is stretched beyond limits

Synovitis

Inflammation of the synovial membrane of joints causing pain and swelling

Dislocations

Also called luxation

Occurs when total displacement of bone from joint

Subluxation

Partial displacement

Arthritis

Inflammation of joint

Osteoarthritis

Wear and tear because of overuse, sports, or aging.

Considered to be degenerative disease because of the wear down of cartilage

Spondylosis

Spinal arthritis

Loss of normal spinal structure and function

Gout

Gouty arthritis

Caused by deposits of uric acid crystal in a joint

Makes painful, red, and warm.

Often starts in big toe

Rheumatoid arthritis

Chronic autoimmune disorder attacking joints and organs

Ankylosing spondylitis

Form of RA leading to inflammation of joints between vertebrae

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Autoimmune disorder affects 16 or younger.

Sypmtoms include pain swelling, stiffness, rash, fever, fatigue, and stunted growth

Herniated disks

Slipped disk/ruptured

Intervertebral disk breaks apart and results in pressure on spinal nerves

Lumbago

Low back pain

Pain in lumbar region

Spondylolisthesis

Slipping movement of one lower lumber vertebrae on vertebra or sacrum in forward direction

Spina bifida

Congenital defect that occurs in early pregnancy

Spinal canal fails to close completely around the spinal cord resulting in lack of protection.

Lack of folic acid

Scoliosis

Abnormal lateral or sideways structure of spine

Lordosis

Abnormal increase in forward curvature of lumbar spine

Swayback

Kyphosis

Abnormal increase in outward curvature of thoracic spine if viewed from the side

Humpback/dowager’s hump

Associated with aging

Craniostenosis

Premature closure of the cranium sutures( joints of the skull) after birth

Osteitis

Inflammation of the bone( ostitis)

Periostitis

Inflammation of the periosteum ( lining of the bone)

Rickets

Deficiency of vitamin D

Required to maintain calcium and phosphorus levels

Resulting in bone growth

Osteomalacia

Abnormal softening of bones

Adult rickets

Caused by loss of vitamin d, calcium, and phosphate

Osteomyelitis

Inflammation of bone marrow and adjacent bone caused by bacterial infection

Paget’s disease

Chronic bone disease

Abnormal breakdown of bone beginning at the pelvis, skull, spine, and legs.

New bones form but weak, enlarged and mishaped

Osteoporosis

Loss of bone density resulting in increased porosity

Osteopenia

Bone density that is thinner than normal

Compression fractures

Often seen with osteoporosis

Occurs in vertebral column where the bone is pressed together resulting in loss of height, pain, and spinal curvature abnormalities.

Colle’s fracture

Associated with osteoporosis

Occurs in lower end of radius when people break their fall by landing on their hands

Closed factures

Simple fractures

Bone is broken but skin is not punctured

Open fracture

Compound fracture

Bone is broken and skin is broken causing an open wound

Comminuted fracture

Where bone is fracture/crushed and splintered into small pieces

Greenstick fracture

Bone is partially fractured

Occurs in children prior to complete bone development

Oblique fracture

Break occurs at an angle

Transverse fracture

Occurs straight across the bone

Pathologic fracture

Occurs when the bone is weakened because of a disease, excessive impact, overuse or injury

Spiral fracture

Occurs when bone is twisted around the axis

Avulsed fracture

Occurs when part of the bone is chipped away at the end

Segmental fracture

Occurs when bone is broken into multiple pieces

Primary bone cancer

Malignant cancer that originates inside the bone

Secondary bone cancer

Tumor that spreads; metastasized to bones from organs

Myeloma

Cancer occurs in blood making cells found in red bone marrow

Often fatal and causes pathological fractures

Osteochrondroma

Benign bony project covered in cartilage

Osteosarcoma

Bone cancer that begins in cells and forms in bones

Typically found in long bones of legs

Allogenic bone marrow transplant

Uses healthy bone marrow cells from compatible donor

Must be perfect match

Autologus bone marrow transplant

Uses patient’s own bone marrow cells that have been harvested, cleaned, treated, and stored