Bones, Nerves, and Skeletal Muscle

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to bones, nerves, and skeletal muscle, essential for understanding human anatomy and physiology in the context of kinesiology.

Bone

The rigid structure that supports and protects the body and organs, providing a framework and encasing bone marrow.

Osteocyte

A bone cell responsible for maintaining the bone matrix.

Osteoblast

Bone cells that help to build bone.

Osteoclast

Bone cells that break down bone tissue.

Bone marrow

Soft tissue inside bones that produces red blood cells.

Skeletal muscle

Muscle attached to bones that enables movement through contraction.

Neuromuscular control

The ability of the nervous system to control muscle movement.

Motor neuron

A neuron that carries action potentials from the central nervous system to muscle fibers.

Action potential

An electrical signal that travels along a neuron to initiate muscle contraction.

Muscular strength

The maximum amount of force that a muscle can generate in a single effort.

Muscular endurance

The ability of a muscle to sustain submaximal efforts over time.

Resistance training

Exercise focused on improving skeletal, muscular, and neuromuscular health through weight lifting.

Trabecular bone

Also known as spongy bone; found in the ends of long bones and important for blood cell production.

Cortical bone

Compact bone that is denser and stronger, found in structures like the pelvis and skull.

Periosteum

A fibrous membrane covering the outside of bones, providing attachment for tendons and ligaments.

Ligament

Tissue that connects bone to bone.

Tendon

Tissue that connects muscle to bone.

Articular cartilage

Smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones at joints to reduce friction.

Dendrites

Extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

The part of a neuron that carries signals away from the cell body to other cells.

Sarcoplasm

The cytoplasm of a muscle cell, containing organelles and myofibrils.

Myofibrils

Contractile threads found in striated muscle cells, composed of actin and myosin.

Sarcomere

The basic functional unit of muscle fiber, consisting of actin and myosin filaments.

Actin

A thin filament associated with muscle contraction.

Myosin

A thick filament involved in muscle contraction and movement.

Troponin

A regulatory protein that binds calcium and helps control muscle contraction.

Tropomyosin

A regulatory protein that blocks myosin binding sites on actin.

Calcium ions

Essential for triggering muscle contraction when released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Sliding filament theory

The mechanism explaining how muscles contract through actin and myosin filaments sliding over one another.

Type I fibers

Slow-twitch muscle fibers, high in oxidative capacity and endurance.

Type IIa fibers

Fast-twitch muscle fibers, with a moderate rate of fatigue and more aerobic than Type IIx.

Type IIx fibers

Fast-twitch muscle fibers with high speed and strength but low endurance.

Afferent nerves

Nerves carrying sensory signals to the central nervous system.

Efferent nerves

Nerves carrying motor signals from the central nervous system to muscles.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The part of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Part of the nervous system outside the CNS; includes sensory and motor nerves.

Autonomic nervous system

Part of the PNS that controls involuntary functions.

Somatic nervous system

Part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements.

Proprioception

The body's ability to sense its position in space through afferent signals.

Excitation-contraction coupling

The physiological process of converting an electrical stimulus to a mechanical response in muscle.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger used by neurons to communicate with muscle fibers.

Acetylcholine

The neurotransmitter used at the neuromuscular junction to trigger muscle contraction.

Osteoporosis

A skeletal disease characterized by low bone mineral density and increased risk of fractures.

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease that results in eroded joint surfaces and pain.

Type II diabetes

A metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels.

Kinesiology

The study of human movement, including the anatomy and physiology of motion.

Musculoskeletal health

The state of health and function of the muscles, bones, and joints.

Athletic trainers

Professionals who respond to athletic injuries and assist in rehabilitation.

Physical educators

Professionals who teach physical fitness and movement skills.

Personal trainers

Experts who design exercise programs for individuals to improve health and fitness.

Muscle hypertrophy

An increase in muscle size resulting from resistance training.

Joint stability

The ability of a joint to maintain its position and prevent dislocations.