Orthopedics and Skeletal System Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major terms from the lecture on the skeletal system and orthopedics.

Orthopedics

Medical specialty that studies, diagnoses, and treats diseases and injuries of the skeletal and muscular systems.

Skeletal System

The body’s framework of bones and cartilage that supports, protects, and enables movement.

Ossicle

One of the three small bones (malleus, incus, stapes) in the middle ear that transmit sound vibrations.

Malleus

The hammer-shaped first ossicle that attaches to the eardrum and transmits vibrations to the incus.

Incus

The anvil-shaped second ossicle that receives vibrations from the malleus and passes them to the stapes.

Stapes

The stirrup-shaped third ossicle that transmits vibrations from the incus to the inner ear.

Hyoid Bone

U-shaped bone in the anterior neck that supports the tongue but does not articulate with other bones.

Thorax

The chest cavity enclosed by the rib cage that houses the heart, lungs, and other structures.

Rib Cage

The bony framework of 12 pairs of ribs that protects thoracic organs.

True Ribs

The first seven pairs of ribs that attach directly to the sternum via costal cartilage.

False Ribs

Ribs 8–10 that attach to the sternum indirectly through cartilage of the rib above.

Floating Ribs

Ribs 11 and 12 that do not attach to the sternum at all.

Thoracic Cavity

Space within the thorax containing the heart, lungs, and major vessels.

Sternum

Flat breastbone in the anterior thorax consisting of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.

Manubrium

Triangular superior portion of the sternum.

Xiphoid Process

Small, pointed inferior tip of the sternum that serves as an attachment for muscles and the diaphragm.

Clavicle

Collarbone; slender curved bone that connects the sternum to the scapula.

Acromion

The lateral, bony projection of the scapula that forms the highest point of the shoulder.

Scapula

Shoulder blade; flat triangular bone on the posterior thorax.

Costal Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum and allows flexibility of the rib cage.

Vertebral Column

Spinal column; vertical series of vertebrae that encases and protects the spinal cord.

Vertebra

Individual bone of the spinal column; plural is vertebrae.

Sacrum

Triangular bone formed by five fused vertebrae at the base of the spine.

Coccyx

Tailbone; small bone composed of fused vertebrae at the very end of the spinal column.

Cervical Vertebrae

Seven small vertebrae (C1–C7) in the neck region allowing head movement.

Thoracic Vertebrae

Twelve vertebrae (T1–T12) that articulate with the ribs and form the posterior anchor of the thoracic cage.

Lumbar Vertebrae

Five large vertebrae (L1–L5) in the lower back designed to bear body weight.

Intervertebral Disc

Fibrocartilage pad between vertebrae that absorbs shock and permits movement.

Articulation

A joint; the point where two bones meet.

Suture Joint

Immovable fibrous joint between skull bones with no cartilage.

Symphysis Joint

Slightly movable joint with a fibrocartilage pad, such as the pubic symphysis or intervertebral joints.

Synovial Joint

Freely movable joint enclosed in a capsule containing synovial fluid.

Fibrocartilage

Tough cartilage containing dense collagen; forms pads in symphysis joints and intervertebral discs.

Endochondral Ossification

Process in which bone replaces a hyaline cartilage model during fetal development and growth.

Hyaline Cartilage

Translucent cartilage that forms the embryonic skeleton and persists at joint surfaces.

Primary Ossification Center

First site where bone tissue replaces cartilage in the diaphysis of a developing bone.

Secondary Ossification Center

Region in the epiphyses where bone formation continues after birth.

Bone Collar

A ring of bone that forms around the diaphysis of a cartilage model during ossification.

Periosteal Bud

Blood vessel and connective tissue invasion that brings osteoblasts into the cartilage model.

Medullary Cavity

Central hollow space within long bones that contains bone marrow.

Epiphyseal Plate

Growth plate; layer of cartilage between the diaphysis and epiphysis where bone lengthening occurs.

Spongy Bone

Porous, lattice-like bone found at the ends of long bones and inside flat bones.

Articular Cartilage

Smooth hyaline cartilage covering bone surfaces at synovial joints to reduce friction.

Epiphysis

The expanded end of a long bone, usually containing spongy bone.

Fracture

Any break or crack in a bone.

Pathologic Fracture

Bone break that occurs because disease has weakened the bone, not solely due to trauma.

Osteoarthritis

Degenerative joint disease characterized by breakdown of articular cartilage and bone spurs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Autoimmune inflammatory disorder causing joint pain, swelling, and potential deformity.

Hallux Valgus (Bunion)

Lateral deviation of the big toe with enlargement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Clubfoot

Congenital deformity in which the foot is twisted out of normal position; also called talipes.

Cast

Rigid external immobilization device applied to a limb or body part to maintain bone alignment during healing.

Closed Reduction

Non-surgical manual realignment of a fractured bone followed by immobilization.

Traction

Steady pulling action applied to align bones or relieve pressure on the spine and skeletal system.

Hip Prosthesis

Artificial replacement component used in a hip joint, often made of metal or ceramic.

Total Hip Replacement

Surgical procedure replacing both the femoral head and acetabulum with prosthetic components.

Orthopedic Plate

Metal plate surgically attached to broken bone segments with screws to stabilize and allow healing.

Orthopedic Screws

Metal fasteners used with plates or alone to secure bone fragments together.

Combining form of thorax

Thorac/o

Singular of vertebrae

Vertabra

Symphysis translates as:

“To grow together”

“To sew together” means

To suture

“To ligate” means

To bind together

Periosteum literally translates to:

“Structure surrounding bone”

Diaphysis translates to

“To grow through or complete”

Prefix meaning without

A-

Combining form meaning “blood vessel”

Vascul/o

Prefix meaning “pertaining to”

-ar

Combining form meaning death

Necr/o

Combining form meaning cartilage

Chondr/o

Suffix meaning tumor

-oma

Suffix meaning softening

-malacia

Literal translation of avascular necrosis

“Condition of death due that is related to/pertains to without blood vessels”

The combining form for bone marrow; spinal cord

Myel/o

“Inflammation of bone and bone marrow” translates as:

Osteomyelitis

Combining form meaning “fused together; stiff”

Ankyl/o

Combining form meaning “bent; humpbacked”

Kyph/o

Combining form meaning “swayback”

Lord/o

Combining form meaning “crooked;curved”

Scoli/o

Suffix meaning “abnormal condition of slipping”

-listhesis

Combining form when referring to the backbone itself

Vertebr/o

Combining form when referring to the backbone in regard to a disease condition that affects it

Spondyl/o

Kyphosis literally translates to:

Condition of being humpbacked

Combining form of joint(s)

Arthr/o

Suffix meaning pain

-algia

Combining form meaning blood

Hem/o

Suffix meaning condition; process

-osis

Literally translate to “pain of the joint(s)”

Arthralgia

Translates to “disease condition of the joint(s)”

Arthropathy

Suffix means development

-trophy

Combining form is Vuls/o

Tear

My/o

Muscle

Asthen/o

Lack of strength