Introduction to the Musculoskeletal System and Bone Classification

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core musculoskeletal concepts, cell types, laws of tissue adaptation, and anatomical bone classifications based on lecture content.

Musculoskeletal system

The body system composed of muscles and bones that provides the structural framework, support, and protection for the body.

Articulation

The medical term for a joint, representing the junction where two or more bones meet.

Talopurulent joint

The anatomical term used in the lecture for the ankle joint, formed by three bones: the talus, tibia, and fibula.

Ligament

A fibrous connective tissue structure that connects bone to bone.

Tendon

A part of the muscular system that attaches muscle to bone.

Hyaline cartilage

Also called articular cartilage, a type of cartilage found on the ends of bones that enables smooth movement at joints.

Fibrocartilage

A thick type of cartilage that functions as a shock absorber, exemplified by the meniscus in the knee and the labrum in the shoulder.

Elastic cartilage

A pliable type of cartilage found in the ears and nose that returns to its original shape after manipulation.

Aspirate

To withdraw fluid, such as accumulated blood, using a needle.

Bursa

A fluid-filled sac located around most joints that cushions structures and aids in smooth joint movement.

Ossify

The process of hardening as cartilage transforms into bone tissue during growth.

Osteoblast

An immature or embryonic bone cell responsible for building and forming new bone tissue.

Osteocyte

A mature bone cell.

Osteoclast

A cell that breaks down bone tissue.

Femur

The longest and strongest bone in the human body, adapted to bear the most weight.

Wolf's law

The principle stating that tissues need to be placed under mechanical stress in order to adapt, grow, or heal after injury.

Long bone

A bone that is longer than it is wide, found primarily in the extremities, including the femur, tibia, fibula, metacarpals, metatarsals, and phalanges.

Short bone

A bone that is roughly equal in length and width, resembling a cube, such as carpals and some tarsals.

Carpals

The collection of bones that form the wrist.

Tarsals

The bones that comprise the ankle.

Irregular bone

A bone with an odd or complex shape that cannot be classified as long or short, such as vertebrae, the calcaneus, and middle ear bones.

Flat bone

A relatively flat bone whose primary function is protection and providing broad surfaces for muscular attachment, such as the skull bones, sternum, scapula, and ribs.

Sesamoid bone

A floating bone that is embedded and housed within a tendon.

Patella

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

Pisiform

A carpal bone located near the fifth finger that is categorized as a sesamoid bone.

Sutures

Immovable joints that bind the bones of the skull together.

Wormian bone

An extra, irregular bone found exclusively within the sutures of the skull.