Musculoskeletal System and Orthopedic Nursing Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards defining key anatomical structures, diagnostic tests, treatments, and pathological conditions of the musculoskeletal system.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells that function in bone formation by secreting bone matrix.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells located in lacunae that are involved in bone maintenance.

Osteoclasts

Multinuclear cells involved in dissolving and resorbing bone.

Osteon

The microscopic functioning unit of mature cortical bone.

Periosteum

A dense, fibrous membrane covering the bone.

Endosteum

A thin, vascular membrane that covers the marrow cavity of long bones and the spaces in cancellous bone.

Osteogenesis

The process of bone formation that begins long before birth.

Ossification

The process by which the bone matrix is formed, binding hard mineral crystals composed of calcium and phosphorus to collagen fibers.

Synarthrosis

Immovable joints, such as skull sutures.

Amphiarthrosis

Joints that allow limited motion, such as vertebral joints and the symphysis pubis.

Diarthrosis

Freely movable joints.

Synovium

A membrane lining the joint capsule which secretes lubricating and shock-absorbing synovial fluid into the joint capsule.

Bursa

A sac filled with synovial fluid that cushions the movement of tendons, ligaments, and bones at a point of friction.

Isometric contraction

Muscle contraction in which the length of the muscle remains constant while the force generated by the muscle increases.

Isotonic contraction

Muscle contraction characterized by shortening of the muscle with no increase in tension within the muscle.

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of individual muscle fibers without an increase in their number.

Atrophy

A decrease in the size of a muscle.

Arthrography

A diagnostic procedure in which a radiopaque contrast agent or air is injected into the joint cavity to visualize irregular surfaces.

Bone densitometry

A diagnostic test using x-rays or ultrasound to estimate bone mineral density.

Arthrocentesis

Joint aspiration carried out to obtain synovial fluid for examination or to relieve pain due to effusion.

Cast

A rigid external immobilizing device that is molded to the contours of the body.

Windowing

Creating a hole on a cast over an open wound site for dressing, visualization, inspection, or application of medications.

Bivalving

Cutting a cast into two halves longitudinally from top to bottom to relieve cast tightness, take x-rays, or inspect the extremity.

Compartment Syndrome

A condition occurring when increased tissue pressure within a limited space compromises circulation and function of tissue within that confined area.

Volkmann's contracture

A specific type of compartment syndrome causing permanent contracture of the fingers and wrist due to obstructed arterial blood flow to the forearm and hand.

Footdrop

The inability to maintain the foot in a normally flexed position due to peroneal nerve pressure injury, causing the patient to drag the foot when ambulating.

Cast syndrome

A complex of psychological claustrophobic reactions or physiologic responses (such as superior mesenteric artery syndrome or ileus) associated with immobility in a body cast.

External fixator

A device used to manage open fractures with soft tissue damage by inserting pins through the bone attached to a portable external frame.

Traction

The application of a pulling force to a part of the body to minimize muscle spasms, reduce, align, and immobilize fractures, reduce deformity, or increase space between opposing surfaces.

Radiculopathy

Pain radiating to the legs that signifies nerve involvement in low back pain, also referred to as sciatica.

Bursitis

An inflammatory condition of the fluid-filled sacs that prevent friction between joint structures during joint activity.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

An entrapment neuropathy occurring when the median nerve at the wrist is compressed by a thickened flexor tendon sheath, skeletal encroachment, edema, or soft tissue mass.

Phalen's Test

A diagnostic test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome performed by holding the backs of both hands together in forced flexion for 1 minute to elicit numbness or tingling along the thumb side of the hand.

Tinel's sign

An assessment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome elicited by percussing lightly over the median nerve on the inner wrist to produce tingling, numbness, and pain.

Ganglion

A collection of gelatinous material near tendon sheaths and joints appearing as a round, firm, cystic swelling, usually on the dorsum of the wrist.

Dupuytren's Disease

A slowly progressive contracture of the palmar fascia causing flexion of the fourth, fifth, and middle fingers.

Osteoporosis

A disease of bones leading to reduced bone mineral density and deterioration of bone microarchitecture, increasing the risk of fractures.

Osteomalacia

A metabolic bone disease characterized by inadequate mineralization of bone, resulting in softening and weakening of the skeleton.

Paget's Disease

A disorder of localized rapid bone turnover (osteitis deformans) characterized by primary osteoclast proliferation, leading to a disorganized mosaic pattern of bone.

Osteomyelitis

An infection of the bone that results in inflammation, necrosis, and formation of new bone.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A systemic inflammatory disease caused by a faulty autoimmune response affecting the synovial membrane, causing erosions of cartilage and bone.

Osteoarthritis

A non-inflammatory degeneration of cartilage and underlying bone within a joint accompanied by bony overgrowth, also known as degenerative joint disease.

Gout

A rheumatic disease resulting from a genetic defect of purine metabolism that causes hyperuricemia and deposition of monosodium urate crystals in tissues and joint fluids.

Podagra

The accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint of the big toe.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

A self-limiting condition in children aged 2 to 12 characterized by necrosis of the femoral head caused by a decreased blood supply.

Greenstick fracture

An incomplete fracture that involves a break through only part of the cross-section of the bone.

Comminuted fracture

A fracture that produces several bone fragments.

Osteosarcoma

The most common and most frequently fatal primary malignant bone tumor arising from connective and supportive tissue cells.