Skeletal System Review Flashcards

Comprehensive flashcards covering bone anatomy, terminology, divisions of the skeleton, joint classifications, fractures, and skeletal pathologies based on lecture material.

What body system do the combining forms oss/e and oste/o refer to?

Bones

What structure does the combining form myel/o represent?

Bone marrow

What anatomical structure is represented by the combining form chondr/o?

Cartilage

What structure does the combining form arthr/o refer to?

Joints

What structure is denoted by the combining form burs/o?

Bursa

What is the primary function of cartilage within joints?

It creates a smooth surface for motion within the joints and protects the ends of the bones.

What is the function of ligaments in the skeletal system?

Ligaments connect one bone to another bone.

What is the definition and function of a tendon?

A tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension.

What is the primary function of synovial membranes?

They form the lining of synovial joints and secretes synovial fluid.

What is the function of synovial fluid?

It acts as a lubricant that makes smooth joint movements possible.

What is the function of a bursa?

It cushions areas subject to friction during movement.

What are the five main functions of the skeletal system listed in the lecture?

Protection, support, movement, blood cell formation (hemopoiesis/hematopoiesis), and mineral/fat storage.

What is hemopoiesis (or hematopoiesis)?

The process of blood cell production occurring within bone marrow.

How many bones are in the adult human skeleton compared to birth?

There are 206 bones in the adult skeleton, compared to 300–350 bones at birth.

How are compact bone and spongy bone structurally distinguished?

Compact bone is homogeneous and tightly packed; spongy bone consists of small needle-like pieces of bone with many open spaces.

What term refers to the process of bone formation?

Ossification

What are osteocytes?

Mature bone cells

What are osteoblasts and what protein do they secrete?

Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that secrete collagen.

What is collagen and why is it important in bone formation?

Collagen is the natural protein of skin that serves as the main building block for cells, tissues, and organs needed to build bone tissue.

What are osteoclasts and what is their role?

Osteoclasts are bone-destroying cells found where bone is reabsorbed; they break down bone matrix for remodeling and release calcium.

What is bone remodeling?

An ongoing process carried out by osteoblasts and osteoclasts where old bone tissue is replaced by new bone tissue through resorption and production.

How frequently does the body renew the equivalent of an entirely new skeleton through remodeling?

Every 7 years

What four basic shapes are used to classify bones?

Long, short, flat, and irregular (plus sesamoid).

What defines a long bone and what is an example?

Bones that are longer than they are wide; e.g., the humerus of the arm or femur of the leg.

What defines a short bone and what is an example?

Bones that are usually square or cube-like in shape; e.g., carpals of the wrist or tarsals of the ankle.

What defines a flat bone and what is an example?

Bones that are flat and curved; e.g., parietal bone of the skull or the sternum.

What defines an irregular bone and what is an example?

Bones with odd or complex shapes; e.g., vertebrae or pelvis.

What is an example of a sesamoid bone?

Patella (kneecap)

What is the diaphysis of a long bone?

The long shaft of the bone.

What is the epiphysis of a long bone?

The end of the bone.

What is the medullary canal (or cavity) and what does it contain?

A cavity located in the diaphysis containing yellow and red bone marrow.

What is the function of the endosteum?

It is a membrane that lines the medullary canal and keeps yellow marrow intact.

What cells are produced by red bone marrow?

Red blood cells (erythrocytes), platelets (thrombocytes), and white blood cells (leukocytes).

What cells make up yellow bone marrow?

Lipocytes (fat cells).

What is the periosteum?

The outer tough membrane of bone containing blood vessels, lymph vessels, and osteoblasts.

What anatomical term is synonymous with compact bone?

Cortical bone

What anatomical term is synonymous with spongy bone?

Cancellous bone

In bone anatomy, what is a head?

The large end of a long bone, which may be separated from the shaft by a neck.

In bone anatomy, what is a condyle?

A rounded portion located at the end of a bone.

In bone anatomy, what is an epicondyle?

A projection located above or on a condyle.

What is a trochanter and where is it found?

A large blunt process located on the femur used for muscle attachment.

In bone anatomy, what is a tubercle?

A small, rounded process that provides attachment for tendons and muscles.

In bone anatomy, what is a tuberosity?

A large, rounded process that provides attachment for tendons and muscles.

In bone anatomy, what is a sinus?

A hollow cavity within a bone.

In bone anatomy, what is a foramen?

A smooth passage or opening for nerves and blood vessels.

In bone anatomy, what is a fossa?

A shallow cavity or depression within or on a bone.

In bone anatomy, what is a fissure?

A deep groove or slit-type opening.

Where is Lister's tubercle located?

At the distal end of the radius bone.

What is the foramen magnum?

A large opening at the base of the skull in the occipital bone that allows passage for the spinal cord.

Which fossa receives the head of the humerus at the shoulder joint?

The glenoid cavity (or glenoid fossa) of the scapula.

What are the two major divisions of the human skeleton?

The axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.

How many total bones are in the axial skeleton?

80 bones

How many total bones are in the appendicular skeleton?

126 bones

What are the three main components of the axial skeleton and their respective bone counts?

Skull (29 bones), spinal column (26 bones), and thorax (25 bones).

What is the cranium, and how many bones form it?

A spherical structure that surrounds and protects the brain, made of 8 bones.

What are the names and quantities of the 8 cranial bones?

1 frontal, 2 parietal, 2 temporal, 1 occipital, 1 ethmoid, and 1 sphenoid.

Which cranial bone is bat-shaped and forms part of the base, floor, and sides of the orbit?

Sphenoid bone

How many facial bones are there in total?

14 facial bones

Which bone is the lower jaw and why is it unique in the skull?

Mandible; it is the only movable part of the skull.

What is the maxilla?

The upper jaw bone.

What are the zygomatic bones?

The cheekbones.

Where are the lacrimal bones situated?

At the inner corner/aspect of each eye orbit.

What are cranial sutures?

Joints where cranial bones have joined together.

What are sinuses and what is their function in the skull?

Air spaces in the skull that act as resonating chambers for the voice.

Which suture connects the frontal bone to the parietal bones?

Coronal suture

Which suture connects the two parietal bones along the midline?

Sagittal suture

Which suture connects the occipital bone to the parietal bones?

Lambdoid (or lambdoidal) suture

What makes the hyoid bone unique among all bones in the human skeleton?

It is the only bone that does not articulate with any other bone.

What are the functions of the hyoid bone?

It helps support the tongue and elevates the larynx during talking and swallowing.

What are fontanels?

"Soft spots" on an infant's skull that allow for brain growth and skull flexibility during childbirth.

How many vertebrae compose the adult spinal column?

26 bones

How many cervical vertebrae are in the neck region?

7 vertebrae (C1–C7)

What is the specific name of the C1 vertebra?

Atlas

What is the specific name of the C2 vertebra?

Axis

How many thoracic vertebrae are in the chest region?

12 vertebrae (T1–T12)

How many lumbar vertebrae are in the waist region?

5 vertebrae (L1–L5)

What is the sacrum?

A single bone composed of fused sacral vertebrae at the back of the pelvic girdle.

What is the coccyx?

The tailbone.

What are intervertebral discs and what is their function?

Pads of cartilage tissue that separate the vertebrae, act as shock absorbers, and permit bending and twisting of the vertebral column.

What are the main structural parts of a typical vertebra?

Body, spinous process, transverse processes, lamina, pedicles, and vertebral foramen.

What passes through the vertebral foramen?

The spinal cord

How many total pairs of ribs are in the human thoracic cage?

12 pairs (24 total ribs)

What are true ribs and how many pairs exist?

The first 7 pairs of ribs (vertebrosternal ribs); they attach directly to the sternum.

What are false ribs and how many pairs exist?

The lower 5 pairs of ribs (pairs 8–12) that do not attach directly to the sternum.

What are vertebrochondral ribs?

The first 3 pairs of false ribs (pairs 8–10) that attach to the cartilage of the rib directly above them.

What are floating ribs?

The last 2 pairs of false ribs (pairs 11–12) that have no anterior attachment on the body.

What are the three distinct regions of the sternum?

Manubrium (upper region), gladiolus/body (middle), and xiphoid process (cartilaginous lower piece).

Which bone connects to the manubrium of the sternum via ligaments?

The clavicles (collarbones).

What type of cartilage joins the ribs to the sternum?

Costal cartilage

What does the abbreviation TMJ stand for?

Temporomandibular joint

What is kyphosis?

An abnormal increase in the curvature of the thoracic spine, commonly called "hunchback" or "humpback".

What is lordosis?

An abnormal increase in the curvature of the lumbar spine, commonly called "swayback".

What is scoliosis?

An abnormal lateral (side-to-side) curvature of the spine.

What is a ruptured intervertebral disk?

A herniation of a disk between two vertebrae that causes nerve compression.

What is spinal stenosis?

A narrowing of the spinal canal causing pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.

What is a whiplash injury?

An injury to the bones and tissues in the cervical spine resulting from a sudden forward and backward movement of the head and neck.

How many total bones make up the pectoral (shoulder) girdles?

4 bones (2 clavicles and 2 scapulae).

What key anatomical landmarks are present on the scapula?

Spine (posterior), coracoid process, acromion, and glenoid fossa.

How many total bones make up the upper limbs/extremities?

60 bones

What process forms the point of the elbow on the proximal ulna?

Olecranon process