Anatomy and Physiology: Human Skeleton and Bone Disorders

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the upper appendicular skeleton, axial skeleton, lower appendicular skeleton, bone physiology, and skeletal system disorders based on BIO 201 lecture notes.

Appendicular Skeleton

The portion of the skeleton composed of the pectoral girdle, upper limbs, pelvic girdle, and lower limbs.

Pectoral Girdle

A bone structure consisting of the clavicle and scapula that attaches the upper limbs to the axial skeleton and provides attachment points for arm muscles.

Clavicle

The collarbone, which articulates with the manubrium at the sternoclavicular joint and with the scapula at the acromioclavicular joint; it is the most commonly fractured bone in the body.

Scapula

The shoulder blade, which forms part of the shoulder joint along with the clavicle and humerus.

Trochlea

The articulation area on the medial distal end of the humerus that joins with the coronoid process on the ulna.

Capitulum

The articulation area on the lateral distal end of the humerus that joins with the radial head of the radius.

Radius

The lateral bone of the forearm that runs parallel to the ulna and aligns with the thumb.

Ulna

The medial bone of the forearm that runs parallel to the radius.

Carrying Angle

The lateral deviation of the extended forearm from the line of the arm by $5\text{–}15\text{ degrees}$ in anatomical position, allowing the forearm and hand to swing freely; it is larger in females.

Carpal Bones

The eight wrist bones arranged in two rows: proximal (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform) and distal (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate).

Scaphoid

The most commonly fractured carpal bone, located on the proximal lateral side of the wrist and frequently injured by a fall onto an outstretched hand.

Metacarpal Bones

The five elongated bones that form the palm of the hand.

Phalanges

The bones that form the fingers and thumb in the hand, as well as the toes in the foot.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A condition caused by overuse of the tendons in the carpal tunnel, resulting in inflammation, median nerve compression, pain or numbness in the fingertips, and muscle weakness.

Compound Fracture

A type of bone fracture in which a broken bone protrudes through the skin.

Colles Fracture

A fracture of the distal radius causing a characteristic 'dinner fork' bend of the forearm above the wrist, common in individuals over $50\text{ years}$ old with osteoporosis.

Smith's Fracture

A wrist fracture that breaks the distal radius and bends the wrist inward.

Axial Skeleton

The division of the skeleton forming the vertical axis of the body, consisting of $80\text{ bones}$ including the skull, vertebral column, hyoid bone, auditory ossicles, and thoracic cage.

Hyoid Bone

A U-shaped bone in the neck that does not articulate with any other bone; a fracture of this bone is commonly associated with strangulation.

Auditory Ossicles

The three small middle ear bones responsible for hearing: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup).

Suture

An immobile fibrous joint between adjacent bones of the skull with irregular, tightly interlocked borders that add strength for brain protection.

Paranasal Sinuses

Mucosa-lined, hollow spaces within skull bones that lighten the skull by reducing bone mass and add resonance to the voice.

Maxillary Sinus

The largest paranasal sinus, located in the maxilla and most commonly affected during sinus infections.

Frontal Sinus

A paranasal sinus located in the frontal bone above the orbits whose congestion can lead to sinus headaches.

Atlas (C1)

The first cervical vertebra, which supports the skull and permits head movement.

Axis (C2)

The second cervical vertebra, featuring an odontoid process (dens) that allows rotation of the head as in gesturing 'no'.

Odontoid Process

The distinctive tooth-like projection (dens) on the axis (C2) vertebra around which the atlas rotates.

Thoracic Vertebrae

The 12 vertebrae (T1–T12) located in the chest region that serve as attachment points for the ribs.

Lumbar Vertebrae

The 5 large vertebrae (L1–L5) located in the lower back that serve as attachment points for lumbar back muscles.

Sacrum

A triangular bony structure formed by the fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae (S1–S5) in the pelvic girdle.

Coccyx

The tailbone, formed by the fusion of 4 to 5 small coccygeal vertebrae by the age of $20\text{ to }30\text{ years}$.

Sternum

The flat bony plate located anteriorly on the chest, subdivided into the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.

True Ribs

Rib pairs 1 through 7, which attach directly to the sternum via costal cartilage.

False Ribs

Rib pairs 8 through 12, whose costal cartilages fuse together before attaching to the sternum, or lack sternal attachment.

Floating Ribs

Rib pairs 11 and 12, which have no costal cartilage connection to the sternum.

Pelvic Girdle

The skeletal structure formed by two hip bones that attaches the lower limbs to the axial skeleton and transfers body weight laterally.

Pelvis

The complete bony basin formed by the two hip bones, the sacrum, and the coccyx.

Ilium

The largest superior bone of the hip bone, featuring the iliac crest and articulating with the sacrum at the sacroiliac joint.

Ischium

The posteroinferior bone of the hip bone that bears body weight when sitting.

Pubis

The anterior bone of the hip bone that curves medially to join the opposite pubis at the pubic symphysis.

Acetabulum

The deep, cup-shaped socket on the hip bone formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which receives the head of the femur.

Femur

The thigh bone; it is the longest and strongest bone in the human body, featuring trochanters and a neck prone to fractures.

Patella

The kneecap, which is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body.

Tibia

The medial shin bone; it is the second longest bone in the body and serves as the primary weight-bearing bone of the lower leg.

Medial Malleolus

The large bony expansion on the medial side of the distal tibia that forms the inner ankle bump.

Fibula

The slender lateral bone of the lower leg that does not bear weight and functions primarily for muscle attachments.

Lateral Malleolus

The distal expansion of the fibula that forms the outer bony bump of the ankle.

Interosseous Membrane

A sheet of dense connective tissue that joins parallel bones in the limbs, such as the radius and ulna, or tibia and fibula.

Hallux

The anatomical term for the big toe.

Supination (Underpronation)

A foot alignment condition where weight rolls onto the outer edges of the feet during walking or running, associated with high arches.

Hyperpronation (Overpronation)

A foot condition characterized by excessive inward rolling of the foot at the ankle and flattening of the foot arch (flat feet).

Calcitriol

The active form of Vitamin D synthesized by the kidneys that promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone released by the parathyroid glands that stimulates osteoclast activity to release calcium from bones into the blood, raising blood calcium levels.

Calcitonin

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that lowers blood calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclasts and stimulating calcium uptake into bones.

Osteoporosis

A skeletal condition in which bone resorption outpaces bone deposition, decreasing bone mass and making bones porous and fragile.

Rickets

A childhood skeletal disorder caused by a deficiency in vitamin D and calcium, leading to soft, deformed bones and characteristic bowed legs.