Musculoskeletal System

Chapter 6: Musculoskeletal System

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize or write the functions of the musculoskeletal system.

  • Recognize or write the meanings of Chapter 6 word parts and use them to build and analyze medical terms.

  • Write terms for selected structures of the musculoskeletal system, or match them with their descriptions.

  • Write the names of the diagnostic terms and pathologies related to the musculoskeletal system when given their descriptions, or match terms with their meanings.

  • Match surgical and therapeutic interventions for the musculoskeletal system or write the names of the interventions when given their descriptions.

  • Spell terms for the musculoskeletal system correctly.

Functions of the Musculoskeletal System

  1. Protection: The musculoskeletal system acts as a protective shield for vital organs (e.g., skull protecting the brain).

  2. Support: Provides structural support and form to the body, helping maintain posture.

  3. Movement: Enables movement through the contraction of muscles and the action of joints.

  4. Hematopoiesis: Production of blood cells occurs in the bone marrow (a function of certain bones).

  5. Storage of Fat and Minerals: Stores minerals (such as calcium and phosphorus) and fat within the bones.

Specialty/Specialist

  • Orthopedics: Medical specialty concerned with the musculoskeletal system.

  • Orthopedist: A medical doctor specializing in orthopedic medicine.

Major Bones of the Body

General Anatomy of Bones

  • Clavicle - clavicul/o

  • Cranium - crani/o

  • Costa - cost/o

  • Scapula - scapul/o

  • Sternum - stern/o

  • Spine - rachi/o, spin/o

  • Vertebrae - spondyl/o, vertebr/o

Vertebrae Regions

  • Cervical - cervic/o (neck)

  • Thoracic - thorac/o (upper back)

  • Lumbar - lumb/o (lower back)

  • Sacrum - sacr/o (connects to the pelvis)

  • Coccyx - coccyg/o (tailbone)

Upper Extremity Bones

  • Humerus - humer/o

  • Radius - radi/o

  • Ulna - uln/o

  • Carpals - carp/o

  • Metacarpals - metacarp/o

  • Phalanges - phalang/o

Pelvic Bones

  • Pelvis - pelv/i

  • Ilium - ili/o

  • Ischium - ischi/o

  • Pubis - pub/o

Leg Bones

  • Femur - femor/o

  • Patella - patell/o

  • Tibia - tibi/o

  • Fibula - fibul/o

Ankle and Foot Bones

  • Tarsals - tars/o

  • Calcaneus - calcane/o

  • Metatarsals - metatars/o

  • Phalanges - phalang/o

Skull and Cranium Anatomy

  • Parietal Bone

  • Occipital Bone

  • Temporal Bone

  • Frontal Bone

  • Sphenoid Bone

  • Ethmoid Bone

  • Maxilla

  • Mandible

  • Fontanels in an Infant: Soft spots found on an infant’s skull that allow for growth and passage during birth.

Thorax Anatomy

Thoracic Cage

  • Sternum

  • Xiphoid Process

  • Costal Cartilage

  • Ribs Types:

    • True Ribs

    • False Ribs

    • Floating Ribs

Female and Male Pelvis Comparison

  • Description and illustrations to distinguish anatomical features between genders.

Joint Anatomy

  1. Joint Definition: An articulation or point of contact between two bones.

  2. Synovial Joints:

    • Have cavities between articulating bones.

    • Are freely movable.

  3. Bursae: Sacs of fluid located in areas of friction that cushion joints.

  4. Ligaments: Strong connective tissue that connects bones to cartilage or other bones.

Muscle Types and Relations

  • Skeletal Muscle: Responsible for voluntary movements.

  • Smooth Muscle: Responsible for involuntary movements in organs.

  • Cardiac Muscle: Found in the heart, characterized by striations and involuntary control.

Muscular and Skeletal Diseases and Disorders

  1. Common Terms:

    • Myolysis: Breakdown of muscle tissue.

    • Myopathy: Disease of muscle tissue.

    • Myalgia: Muscle pain.

    • Spondylitis: Inflammation of the vertebrae.

    • Rachiodynia/Rachialgia: Pain in the spine.

    • Lumbago: Pain in the lower back.

    • Fibromyalgia: Chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and fatigue.

  2. Types of Fractures:

    • Incomplete (Simple/Closed)

    • Complete (Simple/Closed)

    • Compound (Open)

Surgical and Therapeutic Interventions

  • Closed Reduction: Non-surgical realignment of broken bones.

  • Open Reduction: Surgical intervention to align bones.

  • Vertebroplasty: Procedure to stabilize a fractured vertebra.

  • Arthroplasty: Surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint.

  • Bone Marrow Transplant: Procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow.

Medical Terminologies Associated with Bones

  • Intervertebral: Between the vertebrae.

  • Costal: Relating to the ribs.

  • Pelvic: Relating to the pelvis.

  • Humeral: Relating to the humerus (upper arm bone).

Additional Therapeutics

  • Muscle Relaxants: Medications that reduce muscle tension.

  • NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to reduce pain and inflammation.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

  • C-1…C-7: Cervical vertebrae.

  • L-1…L-5: Lumbar vertebrae.

  • RA: Rheumatoid Arthritis.

  • NSAID: Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug.

  • DMARD: Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drug.