Bone and Skeletal Tissue

What is osteology?

The study of bone.

What are the main components of the skeletal system?

Bones, cartilages, and ligaments.

List the five functions of the skeleton.

Support, protection, movement, electrolyte balance, blood formation.

What type of bones are the humerus and femur classified as?

Long bones.

What is the diaphysis of a long bone?

The shaft, composed of compact bone with a medullary cavity.

What is the function of the periosteum?

It serves as the outer fibrous covering of the bone.

What are osteogenic cells?

Bone stem cells that give rise to most other bone cell types.

What is the role of osteoblasts?

Bone building cells that secrete the hormone osteocalcin.

What do osteocytes do?

They are mature osteoblasts that maintain bone matrix and act as strain sensors.

What is the role of osteoclasts?

Bone-dissolving cells involved in bone remodeling.

What is the matrix of bone composed of?

About one-third organic and two-thirds inorganic matter.

What is Wolff's Law?

The architecture of bone is determined by mechanical stresses placed on it.

What is ossification?

The process of bone formation.

Describe intramembranous ossification.

Bone develops from mesenchyme and forms a membrane; some cells become osteoblasts.

What occurs during endochondral ossification?

Cartilage is replaced by bone; involves the formation of primary and secondary ossification centers.

What is interstitial growth in bones?

Bone elongation that occurs at the epiphyseal plate.

What is appositional growth?

Bone widening and thickening that occurs by intramembranous ossification at bone surfaces.

What is hypercalcemia?

A condition of elevated calcium levels in the blood, which can lead to unexcitable nerves and muscles.

What is hypocalcemia?

A condition of low calcium levels in the blood, which can cause overly excitable nerves and muscles.

What is the role of orthodontic appliances?

They reposition teeth through resorption and deposition of bone.

What is the difference between closed reduction and open reduction in fracture treatment?

Closed reduction manipulates bone fragments into position without surgery, while open reduction uses surgical methods.

What is achondroplastic dwarfism?

A condition where long bones stop growing in childhood due to a spontaneous mutation.

What causes pituitary dwarfism?

A lack of growth hormone resulting in normal proportions with short stature.

What is gigantism?

Abnormal growth due to hyperplasia of the pituitary gland, resulting in high levels of human growth hormone.

What is the role of calcium in bone physiology?

Calcium is crucial for maintaining bone structure and regulating blood calcium levels.

What are the types of bone fractures?

Nondisplaced, displaced, comminuted, and greenstick fractures.

What is the first step in fracture healing?

Hematoma formation, where blood collects at the fracture site.

What is the function of osteocalcin?

It stimulates insulin secretion and limits the growth of adipose tissue.