Orthopedics & Physical Therapy

long bones

thigh, lower leg, upper arm, lower arm, & digits

short bones

wrists and ankles

flat bones

inside the scapulae, ribs, and pelvic bones

irregular bones

patella and vertebrae

periosteum

fibrous membrane covering the outside of bone tissue

cartilage

smooth, elastic connective tissue that covers the ends of bones

osteoblasts

a precursor cell in bone formation

endosteum

membrane lining the inner portion and marrow cavity of the bone

hematopoiesis

formation of blood cells

epiphysis

the rounded end of a long

diaphysis

the main or midsection of a long bone

proximal

situated toward the point of origin or attachment

distal

situated away from the point of origin or attachment

fibrous joints

found in the sutures of the skull and made of fibrous tissue; these joints exhibit synarthrosis (no movement)

cartilaginous joints

found in the pubic symphysis b/w the pelvic bones and b/w the vertebral bodies of the spine; this type of joint exhibits amphiarthrosis (slight movement)

synovial joints

found in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, hips, legs, and feet; experience diarthrosis (freely moveable)

skeletal muscle

is attached to bones and responsible for the movement of the body; contracts voluntarily

cardiac muscle

lines the walls of the heart; contracts involuntarily

smooth muscle

lines the walls of blood vessels, respiratory tree, and hollow organs; contracts involuntarily

kyphosis

outward curve of the spine usually in the thoracic region creating a hump on the back

scoliosis

lateral curve of the spine causing one hip or shoulder to be higher than the other

lordosis

an inward curvature to the lower spine and results in a swayback

muscular dystrophy

progressive, degenerative weakening of the muscles

osteoarthritis

gradual onset of joint pain with edema and decreasing range of motion caused by degeneration of the joint tissues

rheumatoid arthritis

progressive autoimmune system disease resulting in deformed, painful joints

bursitis

inflammation of the bursae in synovial tissue of the joint resulting in pain and limited range of motion in the joint

osteoporosis

a disorder in which calcium needed for body functioning is taken from the bones causing the bones to become brittle and at risk for fracture

carpal tunnel syndrome

chronic burning or aching pain in muscles and the soft tissue of the joint

avulsion fracture

fragment of a fractured bone is torn away with the muscle or ligament

comminuted fracture

crushing or splintering of the bone

compound fracture

open wounds over the ends of the fractured bones; often an end of the bone is visible

compression

collapse of the bone due to pressure exerted on it

depression

fragments or portions of bone pressed down in the skull and into the brain and surrounding tissue

displaced fracture

bone ends out alignment

greenstick fracture

bone partially bent and partially broken, like a twig or branch of a tree

impacted fracture

one end of a fractured bone driven or wedged into the other end of the same bone

longitudinal fracture

fracture parallel with the long axis of the bone, usually running along part of the length of the bone

nondisplaced fracture

bone ends remain in alignment

oblique fracture

a type of broken bone where the break runs diagonally across the bone at an angle

pathological fracture

a broken bone caused by a pre-existing disease that has weakened the bone, making it more susceptible to fracture under normal stress

simple fracture

a break that does not compromise the skin

spiral fracture

fracture follows a helical pattern, twisting around the axis of the bone

transverse fracture

fracture crosses the bone at 90 degree angle to the bone’s axis

lyme disease

a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of ticks, can lead to arthritis

osteomyelitis

an inflammation or swelling of bone tissue that is usually the result of an infection

sprain

a stretching or tearing of ligaments

strain

when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far, sometimes leading to a “pulled muscle”

dislocation

occurs when w bone is forced out of its normal position in a joint

tendon problems

issues with the strong, rope-like connective tissues that attach muscles to bones

cartilage problems

issues with the tough, flexible tissue that cushions the ends of bones in joints

amputation

a surgical procedure where a part of the body, such as a limb, is removed