Bone Anatomy, Fractures, Growth Factors, and Pathology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards reviewing long bone anatomy, fracture classifications, nutritional and hormonal factors in bone growth, and major bone disorders.

Diaphysis

The shaft of the bone; provides support and leverage.

Proximal epiphysis

The end of the bone closer to the trunk.

Distal epiphysis

The end of the bone farther from the trunk.

Metaphysis

The region between the diaphysis and epiphysis that contains the growth plate in a growing bone.

Articular cartilage

Hyaline cartilage covering joint surfaces that reduces friction and absorbs shock.

Periosteum

Outer connective tissue covering that contains blood vessels, nerves, and bone-forming cells.

Endosteum

Thin membrane lining internal bone surfaces.

Medullary cavity

Central cavity of the diaphysis that contains bone marrow.

Epiphyseal plate

Cartilage region where lengthwise bone growth occurs.

Epiphyseal line

Remnant of the epiphyseal (growth) plate after lengthwise bone growth has ended.

Closed (simple) fracture

A fracture in which the bone breaks without piercing the skin.

Open (compound) fracture

A fracture where the broken bone communicates with the outside through a wound.

Comminuted fracture

A fracture in which the bone breaks into three or more fragments.

Greenstick fracture

An incomplete fracture in which one side of the bone bends and the other breaks.

Transverse fracture

A break that occurs perpendicular to the long axis of the bone.

Oblique fracture

A break that occurs diagonally across the bone.

Spiral fracture

A break that twists around the bone.

Impacted fracture

A fracture in which the broken ends of the bone are driven into each other.

Calcitriol

A hormone or active form of vitamin D that promotes the absorption of calcium from the intestines.

Hydroxyapatite

The mineral component of the bone matrix formed by the combination of calcium and phosphorus.

Vitamin C (in bone growth)

A vitamin required for collagen synthesis during bone growth and maintenance.

Vitamin A (in bone growth)

A vitamin that supports normal bone growth and remodeling.

Sex hormones (in bone growth)

Hormones that promote growth spurts and cause the eventual closure of the growth plate.

Osteoporosis

A condition in which overall bone mass decreases and bones become more fragile, though the remaining bone is normally mineralized.

Osteomalacia

Inadequate mineralization of adult bone matrix, often related to a deficiency in vitamin D.

Rickets

Poor mineralization of growing bones occurring in children.

Paget disease of bone

A skeletal condition characterized by abnormal, excessive bone remodeling that produces disorganized bone.

Osteogenesis imperfecta

A genetic disorder involving collagen, commonly type I collagen, that causes bones to be abnormally fragile.