Semester 1 Essays
Page 1: Bone as an Organ
Mature Bones
Referred to as osseous (bone) tissue or an organ.
Consists of:
Osseous tissue
Nervous tissue
Epithelial and muscle tissue (blood vessels)
Osseous Tissue
Composed of:
Cells
Osteoblasts: Build bone density
Osteoclasts: Break down bone tissue
Osteocytes: Mature bone cells in lacunae
Extracellular Matrix: Includes ground substance and fibers
Living tissue capable of growth and repair
Types of Bone Tissue
Compact Bone
Layers (lamellae) organized into concentric circles
Contains Haversian canals
Osteon: Functional unit of compact bone
Osteocytes in lacunae connected by tunnels (canaliculi)
Spongy Bone
Porous and light
Composed of trabecular rods and plates
Contains red bone marrow
Functions of the Skeleton
Definition: Framework of the body
Function:
Support for the body
Protective cavity for vital organs
Movement (attachment for muscles)
Mineral storage (calcium and phosphorus)
Blood cell formation (hematopoiesis)
Types of Bones
Long Bones
Short Bones
Flat Bones
Irregular Bones
Sesamoid Bones
Page 2: Bone Development and Growth
Ossification: Process of bone formation.
Two Types of Ossification Processes:
Intramembranous Ossification
Endochondral Ossification
Skeleton forms from fibrous membranes and hyaline cartilage.
Continues through adulthood for repair and remodeling.
Intramembranous Ossification
Formation of spongy bone tissue begins at centers of ossification.
Osteoblasts migrate and deposit bony matrix.
Osteoblasts in matrix turn into osteocytes.
Red marrow forms followed by compact bone formation.
Endochondral Ossification
Periosteum forms around hyaline cartilage (bony collar).
Cavity formation and ossification occurs in the center.
Vascular invasion leads to elongation of the bone.
Secondary ossification centers develop at the epiphyses.
Epiphyseal plates and articular cartilage remain.
Page 3: Bone Growth and Factors
Growth Factors
Nutritional Factors: Vitamins A, C, D.
Hormonal Influences: Thyroid, pituitary hormones.
Exercise: Stimulates bone adaptation and growth.
Increase in Length
Growth occurs at the epiphyseal plate.
Cartilage growth continues until the early twenties.
Increase in Width
Appositional Growth: Bones grow in thickness.
Osteoblasts form compact bone while osteoclasts reduce bone mass internally.
Page 4: Joints Between Bones
Types of Joints
Fibrous Joints
Sutures: Immovable joints in the skull.
Gomphoses: Teeth to sockets.
Syndesmoses: Slightly movable.
Cartilaginous Joints
Synchondrosis: Immovable, connected by hyaline cartilage.
Symphyses: Slightly movable, connected by fibrocartilage.
Synovial Joints
Movable joints with synovial fluid.
Examples of Synovial Joints
Hinge, Saddle, Plane, Pivot, Condyloid, Ball-and-Socket.
Page 5: Structure of Synovial Joints
Synovial Capsule: Secretes synovial fluid for lubrication.
Articular Cartilage: Reduces friction.
Bursae: Fluid-filled sacs to reduce friction (e.g. in the knee).
Page 6: Vertebral Column
Structure
Composed of 33 vertebrae: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.
24 presacral vertebrae allow movement.
Function
Protection: Shields the spinal cord.
Support: Weight bearing for the upper body.
Movement: Facilitates posture and motion.
Page 7: Joints of the Vertebral Column
Facet Joints: Allow gliding; strengthened by ligaments.
Biomechanics
Movement includes flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation.
Page 8: Skeleton of the Thorax
Ribs: Protects organs; assists in breathing.
Sternum: Articulates with ribs via cartilage.
Thoracic Joints: Contributes to biocompatibility and movement.
Page 9: Joints Between the Vertebrae and Skull
Atlanto-Axial and Atlanto-Occipital Joints: Allow for rotation and nodding of the head.
Page 10: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle
Structure & Movement
Includes sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, and scapulothoracic joints.
Shoulder Joint
Ball-and-socket joint allowing extensive movement.
Page 11: Elbow Joint
Characteristics
Hinge joint connecting arm to forearm.
Articulating surfaces: humerus, ulna, and radius.
Page 12: Pelvic Girdle
Structure
Consists of hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx.
Functions
Weight transfer, muscle attachment, protection of viscera.
Page 13: Hip Joint
Overview
Ball-and-socket joint between femur and acetabulum.
Movements
Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, medial and lateral rotation.
Page 14: Knee Joint
Articulating Surfaces
Tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints.
Ligaments & Movements
Cruciate and collateral ligaments stabilize joint.
Page 15: Joints of the Foot
Overview
Includes tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges.
Movements
Dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, eversion, abduction, adduction.