Skeletal System and Joints Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering the divisions, functions, bone classifications, microscopic anatomy, cell types, fractures, joint classifications, and joint disorders of the skeletal system.

Axial Skeleton

Division of the skeletal system consisting of 80 bones, including the skull, middle ear bones, hyoid, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

Division of the skeletal system consisting of 126 bones, including the pectoral girdle, upper limbs, pelvic girdle, and lower limbs.

Intramembranous Ossification

Bone formation process where bone forms directly from connective tissue, forming flat skull bones.

Endochondral Ossification

Bone formation process where bone replaces a hyaline cartilage model, forming long bones and most of the skeleton.

Compact Bone

Dense and strong bone tissue made of osteons, mostly forming the wall/shaft of long bones for weight-bearing.

Spongy Bone

Lighter and flexible bone tissue made of trabeculae, located mostly in the epiphyses/ends of long bones.

Diaphysis

The shaft of a long bone.

Epiphysis

The expanded end of a long bone.

Metaphysis

The region between the shaft (diaphysis) and end (epiphysis) of a long bone.

Medullary Cavity

Hollow space within the diaphysis of a long bone containing marrow.

Periosteum

Dense connective tissue covering the outside of a bone.

Articular Cartilage

Cartilage layer that covers the epiphysis at joints.

Red Marrow

Type of bone marrow that produces red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.

Yellow Marrow

Type of bone marrow that stores fat and does not produce blood cells.

Osteon

Cylindrical structural unit of compact bone.

Central Canal

Center of an osteon that contains blood vessels.

Perforating Canals

Canals that connect central canals across osteons.

Lacunae

Spaces within bone tissue that contain osteocytes.

Lamellae

Layers of bone matrix surrounding the central canal.

Canaliculi

Tiny passageways for nutrient and waste exchange between bone cells.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells that build and deposit bone tissue.

Osteoclasts

Bone cells that break down bone tissue.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone structure.

Osteopenia

Condition of bone loss resulting in lower bone density.

Osteoporosis

Severe bone loss where bones become weak and more susceptible to fractures.

Simple Fracture

Bone break where the overlying skin remains unbroken (closed fracture).

Compound Fracture

Bone break where the bone pierces through the skin (open fracture).

Greenstick Fracture

An incomplete break in a bone.

Fissured Fracture

An incomplete longitudinal crack in a bone.

Comminuted Fracture

Bone fracture resulting in multiple fragments.

Transverse Fracture

Fracture occurring straight across the bone.

Oblique Fracture

Fracture occurring diagonally across the bone.

Spiral Fracture

Fracture caused by twisting of the bone.

Synarthrotic Joint

A functionally immovable joint.

Amphiarthrotic Joint

A functionally slightly movable joint.

Diarthrotic Joint

A functionally freely movable joint.

Suture

A type of fibrous joint found between bones of the skull.

Syndesmosis

A type of fibrous joint found between the tibia and fibula.

Gomphosis

A type of fibrous joint found between a tooth and the jaw.

Synchondrosis

A type of cartilaginous joint found between the first rib and manubrium.

Symphysis

A type of cartilaginous joint found at the pubic symphysis and intervertebral discs.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

A multiaxial synovial joint allowing rotation, found in the hip and shoulder.

Condylar Joint

A biaxial synovial joint with no rotation, found in the knuckles.

Plane Joint

A synovial joint allowing gliding and twisting movements, found in the wrist and ankle.

Hinge Joint

A synovial joint allowing movement in one plane, found in the elbow and fingers.

Pivot Joint

A synovial joint allowing rotation, found between C1 and C2 vertebrae.

Saddle Joint

A biaxial synovial joint found in the thumb.

Sprain

Tearing of connective tissue in a joint without bone dislocation.

Bursitis

Inflammation of a bursa, often resulting from overuse or stress.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation, swelling, and pain.

Osteoarthritis

Degenerative and most common form of arthritis associated with aging.

Lyme Arthritis

Joint inflammation caused by Lyme disease from a tick bite.