Foundations of Structural Kinesiology: Skeletal System - VOCABULARY Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from osteology, bone types, bone features, growth, bone markings, joints, and motion concepts.

Osteology

The study of the structure and function of bones.

Adult skeleton

Consists of 206 bones.

Axial skeleton

Skeleton with 80 bones, including the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

Appendicular skeleton

Skeleton with 126 bones, comprising the limbs and girdles.

Hemopoiesis

Process of blood cell formation in the red bone marrow.

Mineral storage

Storage of minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus, in bone.

Long bones

Bones that are long and cylindrical with a shaft and ends (e.g., humerus, tibia, phalanges).

Short bones

Small, cubical bones with solid structures (e.g., carpals, tarsals).

Flat bones

Bones with curved surfaces that provide protection (e.g., ilium, clavicle, sternum, ribs, scapula).

Irregular bones

Bones with irregular shapes (e.g., vertebrae, ischium, pubis, maxilla).

Sesamoid bones

Small bones embedded within tendons that protect and change tendon mechanics; patella is the prime example.

Humerus (head of the humerus)

Proximal end of the upper arm bone that articulates with the shoulder.

Greater tubercle (humerus)

Large lateral projection on the proximal humerus for muscle attachment.

Lesser tubercle (humerus)

Smaller anterior projection on the proximal humerus for muscle attachment.

Intertubercular groove

Groove between the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus for tendon passage.

Deltoid tuberosity

Ridge on the lateral humerus where the deltoid muscle attaches.

Epicondyle (humerus)

Raised area above a condyle for muscle attachment; medial and lateral epicondyles.

Capitulum

Rounded articular eminence on the distal humerus that articulates with the radius.

Trochlea

Pulley-like groove on the distal humerus that articulates with the ulna.

Olecranon fossa

Posterior distal humerus groove that receives the olecranon of the ulna.

Groove for radial nerve

Anatomical groove on the humerus for the radial nerve passage.

Femur (head, neck)

Proximal bone of the thigh; head articulates with the hip, neck connects head to shaft.

Greater trochanter / Lesser trochanter (femur)

Prominent proximal projections for muscle attachments on the femur.

Epiphyseal lines

Lines representing areas of prior growth plate closure in long bones.

Tibia (medial malleolus)

Shinbone with the medial ankle projection landmark.

Fibula (head; lateral malleolus)

The slender bone with the distal lateral ankle projection.

Tibial tuberosity

Prominent anterior bump on the tibia for patellar tendon attachment.

Intercondylar tubercles (tibia)

Projections between the tibial condyles for ligament attachments.

Metatarsals

Five long bones in the foot between tarsals and phalanges.

Talus, Navicular, Calcaneus

Tarsal bones of the ankle; talus connects with tibia/fibula, calcaneus is the heel bone.

Tuberosity (metatarsal/other bone)**

A large rounded projection for muscle or tendon attachment.

Epiphyseal plate

Growth plate; hyaline cartilage that separates diaphysis and epiphysis in growing bones.

Endochondral bone

Bones that develop from hyaline cartilage.

Primary ossification center

First area where bone tissue forms within a cartilage model.

Secondary ossification center

Sites of bone formation that appear later in the epiphyses.

Periosteum

Dense fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of the diaphysis.

Medullary (marrow) cavity

Cavity within diaphysis containing yellow (fatty) marrow.

Cortex (Compact bone)

Hard, dense bone forming the outer walls of the diaphysis.

Epiphysis

Ends of long bones made of cancellous (spongy) bone.

Articular (hyaline) cartilage

Cartilage that covers joint surfaces to cushion and reduce friction.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells.

Osteoclasts

Bone-resorbing cells.

Osteo- (prefix)

Prefix meaning bone.

Bone composition (minerals and matrix)

Bone is made of calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, collagen, and water.

Cortical vs cancellous bone

Cortical (compact) bone is dense and stiff; cancellous (spongy) bone is porous and supports marrow.

Bone remodeling

Bones adapt in size/shape in response to habitual mechanical stresses; mass can increase with stress.

Processes (bone markings)

Projections and elevations on bones; sites for muscle attachment or joint formation.

Crest

Narrow, ridge-like projection on a bone.

Epicondyle

Projection above a condyle for muscle attachment.

Condyle

Rounded articular projection that contacts another bone.

Head

Expanded end of a bone that forms part of a joint.

Facet

Small, flat articular surface.

Foramen

Opening through a bone that allows passage of nerves and vessels.

Fossa

Shallow depression in a bone that often articulates with another bone.

Meatus

Tubelike canal within a bone.

Sinus

Cairty cavity or recess within a bone.

Sulcus

Groove in a bone that accommodates a tendon or nerve.

Trochanter

Very large projection on a bone (femur).

Tubercle

Small rounded projection on a bone.

Tuberosity

Roughened projection larger than a tubercle.

Suture

Line of junction between two bones, especially in the skull.

Linea aspera

Ridge on the posterior surface of the femur for muscle attachment.

Acromion

Bony process on the scapula forming the shoulder ridge.

Spine (bone marking)

Sharp, slender projection on a bone.

Coronoid fossa

Anterior depression on the distal humerus for the coronoid process of the ulna.

Articulation

Joint; connection of bones allowing movement between surfaces.

Synarthrodial joints

Immovable joints.

Amphiarthrodial joints

Slightly movable joints.

Diarthrodial joints

Freely movable joints; aka synovial joints.

Syndesmosis

Joint where bones are united by ligaments with limited movement.

Symphysis

Joint united by fibrocartilage allowing slight movement.

Synchondrosis

Joint separated by hyaline cartilage with limited movement.

Synovial joint features

Joint capsule, synovial fluid, articular cartilage, and supporting ligaments.

Glenoid labrum / Acetabular labrum

Cartilaginous rim around ball-and-socket joints to deepen the socket.

Osteokinematic motion

Physiologic movement of bones about an axis (e.g., flexion/extension).

Arthrokinematics

Movement between joint articular surfaces (accessory motion).

Physiological movements vs. accessory motions

Physiologic movements occur as bones move; accessory motions (spin, roll, glide) accompany or enable them.

Roll

Series of points on one surface contact a series of points on another surface.

Glide

A specific point on one surface contacts a series of points on another surface.

Spin

A single point on one surface rotates about a fixed axis.

Degrees of freedom

Number of planes in which a joint can move: 1, 2, or 3.