Orthopedics: Skeletal System

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from Chapter 7 on Orthopedics and the Skeletal System

Orthopedics

The medical specialty that studies the anatomy and physiology of the skeletal and muscular systems.

Axial Skeleton

The central structure around which other parts move; consists of the head, neck, chest, and spinal bones.

Appendicular Skeleton

The limbs; consists of the shoulder, arm, hip, and leg bones.

Cranial Bones

Part of the cranium, the domelike structure at the top of the head, containing the brain.

Facial Bones

Supports the nose, cheeks, and lips.

Maxilla

The upper jaw and is formed by two maxillary bones fused at the midline.

Mandible

The lower jaw and is the only moveable bone of the skull.

Ossicles (Ossicular Chain)

Consist of three tiny bones in each middle ear: the malleus, incus, and stapes; they are active in the process of hearing.

Sternum

Runs vertically down the center of the anterior rib cage and contains the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process.

Spine

A vertical column of vertebrae that supports the head, neck, and trunk and protects the spinal cord.

Cervical Vertebrae

Vertebrae in the neck (C1-C7).

Thoracic Vertebrae

Vertebrae in the thorax (T1-T12).

Lumbar Vertebrae

Vertebrae located in the lower back (L1-L5).

Sacrum

A group of five fused vertebrae.

Coccyx

A group of fused vertebrae that form the tailbone.

Shoulder Bones

Include the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade).

Clavicle

A thin, rod-like bone that connects to the sternum and scapula.

Scapula

A triangular bone on the upper back.

Humerus

The long upper arm bone.

Radius

One of the forearm bones.

Ulna

The other forearm bone.

Carpal Bones

Bones arranged in two rows in the wrist.

Metacarpal Bones

Bones in the hand.

Phalangeal Bones

Bones in the fingers.

Ilium

Most superior hip bone on each side.

Ischium

Most inferior hip bone on each side.

Pubis

Most anterior hip bone on each side.

Femur

The thigh bone of the upper leg.

Tibia

The shin bone of the lower leg.

Fibula

The very thin bone of the lower leg.

Patella

Anterior to the knee joint.

Tarsal Bones

Bones in the ankle.

Metatarsal Bones

Bones in the midfoot.

Joints (Articulations)

Formed anywhere two bones come together.

Suture Joints

Immovable joints between cranial and facial bones.

Symphysis Joints

Slightly moveable joints that occur at the symphysis pubis and vertebrae.

Synovial Joints

Fully moveable joints; include hinge and ball-and-socket joints.

Ligaments

Strong connective tissue bands that hold bones in a synovial joint.

Osteocytes

Bone cells that maintain and monitor mineral content.

Osteoclasts

Secrete acid and enzymes that dissolve areas of bone.

Osteoblasts

Build a protein framework where calcium salts are deposited to form new bone.

Avascular Necrosis

Death of epiphyseal cells in a long bone.

Osteoma

Benign growth of bone.

Osteosarcoma

Malignant growth of osteoblasts.

Ewing Sarcoma

Malignant growth in young men.

Chondroma

Benign tumor of the cartilage.

Chondromalacia Patellae

Abnormal softening of the patella due to thinning and uneven wear.

Fracture (FX, Fx)

Broken bone caused by an accident, injury, or disease.

Closed Fracture

Broken bone that does not tear through the skin.

Open Fracture

Broken bone that tears through the skin.

Nondisplaced Fracture

Broken bone that remains in normal anatomical alignment.

Displaced Fracture

Broken bone that moves out of normal anatomical alignment.

Osteomalacia

Abnormal softening of the bone due to vitamin D deficiency or lack of sun exposure; causes rickets.

Osteomyelitis

Infection of the bone and bone marrow when bacteria enter the bone following injury or surgery.

Osteoporosis

Abnormal thinning of the bone structure; bone breakdown exceeds bone formation and calcium and phosphorus are lost.

Pectus excavatum

Congenital deformity in which the sternum is bent inward creating a depression in the chest.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Chronic inflammation of the vertebrae that leads to fibrosis, fusion, and spinal motion restriction.

Kyphosis

Abnormal posterior curvature of the thoracic spine; also called humpback.

Lordosis

Abnormal anterior curvature of the lumbar spine; also called swayback.

Scoliosis

Abnormal C- or S-shaped lateral curvature of the spine.

Spondylolisthesis

Degenerative condition of the spine in which one vertebra moves anteriorly and slips out of alignment.

Genu Valgum

Congenital deformity in which the knees rotate toward the midline and the legs bend away from midline; knock-knee.

Genu Varum

Congenital deformity in which the knees are abnormally far apart and the legs bend toward the midline; bowleg.

Hallux Valgus

Deformity in which the great toe angles toward the other toes and there is swelling at the base; bunion.

Talipes Equinovarus

Congenital deformity in which the foot is pulled downward and toward the midline; clubfoot.

Arthralgia

Pain in the joint due to injury, inflammation, or infection from various causes.

Arthropathy

General term for disease of the joint from any cause.

Dislocation

Displacement of the end of a bone from its normal position in a joint.

Gout

Metabolic disorder in which high uric acid levels cause pain in the joint; most often occurs in the great toe.

Hemarthrosis

A condition of blood in the joint cavity, usually due to blunt trauma or penetrating injury.

Lyme Disease

Arthritis caused by a bacterium in the bite of an infected deer tick.

Osteoarthritis

Chronic inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints as cartilage wears away and bone rubs on bone.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Acute and chronic inflammatory disease of the connective tissue, particularly the joints.

Sprain

Overstretching or tearing of ligaments around a joint.

Subluxation

Partial dislocation with slight displacement of bone ends from the joint.

Torn Meniscus

A tear in the cartilage pad in the knee joint because of an injury.

Rheumatoid Factor (RF)

Blood test that is usually positive in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; anti-CCP blood test measures antibody levels.

Uric Acid

Blood test that shows an elevated level in patients with gout and gouty arthritis.

Arthrography

Radiologic procedure in which a radiopaque dye is injected to coat the joint so a picture of it (arthrogram) can be created.

Bone Density Tests

Measure bone mineral density (BMD) to diagnose osteoporosis.

Bone Scintigraphy

Creates an image of bone using a radioactively tagged phosphate compound injected into the blood.

X-Ray

Most common diagnostic procedure for the skeletal system.

Cast

A layer of plaster or fiberglass applied around a fractured bone to immobilize the bone as it heals.

Closed Reduction

A procedure in which bone ends in a displaced fracture are manually manipulated back into place; often followed with a cast.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

A procedure that uses sound waves outside of the body to break up bone spurs and treat tendinitis.

Goniometry

A procedure that measures the angle of a joint and its range of motion.

Orthosis

An orthopedic device like a brace or splint that is used to keep a body part straight and immobile.

Physical Therapy

Exercise that improves a patient’s range of motion, joint mobility, strength, and balance.

Prosthesis

An orthopedic device like a leg or arm that is created for a patient following an amputation.

Traction

A procedure that uses weight to pull the bone ends of a fracture into correct alignment.

Analgesics

Treat pain associated with bone injury or surgery.

Bone Resorption Inhibitors

Prevent osteoclasts from breaking down bone to treat osteoporosis.

Corticosteroids

Decrease severe inflammation.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs)

Treat inflammation and pain from osteoarthritis and orthopedic injury.

Amputation

Removal of all or part of an extremity damaged by trauma or disease.

Arthrocentesis

Removal of accumulated fluid from an injured joint using a needle inserted in the joint space.

Arthrodesis

Fusion of bones in a deteriorated, unstable joint.

Arthroscopy

Visualization of the inside of a joint using an arthroscope inserted into the joint.

Bone Graft

Replacement of bone severely damaged due to bone cancer.

Bunionectomy

Removal of a bunion that has formed on the metatarsal bone at the base of the great toe.