Bone Tissue and Fractures

Flashcards of vocabulary related to bone tissue and fractures.

Bone Tissue Requirements

Bones can widen for additional strength and repair throughout life, but require a diet rich in proteins; vitamins A, C, and D; and minerals like calcium.

Bone Response to Use

A bone grows or remodels in response to forces or demands placed upon it.

Resorption

Moving calcium from bone to blood.

Osteoclasts

Digest bone using lysosomal enzymes (to digest proteins) and acids (to solubilize calcium salts).

PTH (Parathyroid Hormone)

Parathyroid glands release this hormone into blood when blood calcium levels are low.

Hypocalcemia

Abnormally low blood calcium, can be caused by hypoparathyroidism or oversweating.

Hypocalcemia Symptoms

Leads to over-excited neurons, over-stimulation of skeletal muscles (cramps), and cardiac muscle overwork (heart spasms).

Hypercalcemia

Abnormally high blood calcium, can be caused by excessive calcium intake, hyperparathyroid disease, or immobility.

Hypercalcemia Symptoms

Leads to under-excitable neurons, coma, confusion, under-performing muscles, heart slows or stops beating.

Nondisplaced Fracture

Bone ends retain normal position.

Displaced Fracture

Bone ends are out of normal alignment.

Complete Fracture

Broken all the way through.

Incomplete Fracture

Not broken all the way through.

Linear Fracture

Parallel to long axis of the bone.

Transverse Fracture

Perpendicular to long axis of the bone.

Compound (Open) Fracture

Bone ends penetrate the skin.

Simple (Closed) Fracture

Bone ends do not penetrate the skin.

Comminuted Fracture

Bone fragments into three or more pieces.

Compression Fracture

Bone is crushed.

Spiral Fracture

Ragged break occurs when excessive twisting forces are applied to a bone.

Epiphyseal Fracture

Epiphysis separates from the diaphysis along the epiphyseal plate.

Depressed Fracture

Broken bone portion is pressed inward.

Greenstick Fracture

Bone breaks incompletely, much in the way a green twig breaks.

Healing Stage 1: Hemostasis

Hematoma (clots broken vessels).

Healing Stage 2: Inflammation

causes swollen, painful, red area (as in skin).

Healing Stage 3 & 4

Phagocytic cells clear debris, Fibroblasts secrete collagen fibers to connect bone ends.

Healing Stage 5 & 6: Bony Callus Formation

Osteoblasts form spongy bone to connect bone ends, compact bone forms on the surface.

Healing Stage 7: Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts remodel and smooth the bone approximating the original shape.

Rickets

Vitamin D deficiency or insufficient dietary calcium in children leads to bowed and weak bones

Osteoporosis

In adults, low bone calcium due to lack of estrogen, calcium, or vitamin D deficiency, immobility, thyroid disease, and diabetes can cause loss of bone mass.