Musculoskeletal System Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the musculoskeletal system lecture notes.

Osteoclasts

Cells responsible for the resorption of bone, breaking down bone tissue.

Osteoprogenitor cells

Mesenchymal stem cells located in the bone marrow and periosteum, serving as precursors to osteoblasts.

Osteoporosis

A condition characterized by weakened bones and increased fracture risk due to low bone density.

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease causing inflammation and pain due to wear and tear.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune condition leading to joint inflammation and pain.

Osteoblasts

Cells that actively produce and secrete bone matrix, contributing to bone formation.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone health and regulate remodeling.

Calcium homeostasis

The process of maintaining stable levels of calcium in the body, crucial for bone health.

Actin

A primary thin filament protein in the sarcomere that enables muscle contraction.

Myosin

A protein that binds to actin to facilitate muscle movement.

Tropomyosin

A protein that blocks binding sites on actin from myosin during muscle contraction.

Troponin

A protein that binds calcium and moves tropomyosin to allow myosin to bind to actin.

Fascia

A layer of dense connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs.

Synovial fluid

A viscous fluid that lubricates joints and reduces friction during movement.

Meniscus

A fibrocartilaginous structure that cushions joints and stabilizes alignment.

Ossification

The process of bone formation, occurring through intramembranous or endochondral methods.

Intramembranous ossification

A type of bone formation that occurs within a connective tissue membrane.

Endochondral ossification

A process in which bone develops from a cartilage model, typical for long bones.