Key Terms Flashcards
What is the ‘anatomical position’
Describes the body position from which directional terms always refer to:
Person standing erect, palms forward, feet parallel & flat on the floor with arms at the sides of the body
What is the epiphysis
Forms the proximal & distal Heads of long bones
What is the diaphysis
The tubular shaft of long bones
What is the periosteum
A pain-sensitive, highly vascular membrane that protects bone by surrounding the external surface which is not covered by cartilage & serves as an attachment for ligaments & tendons
What are the periosteal arteries
Arteries that enter the diaphysis of bones through many perforating canals to deliver oxygenated blood
What is hypocalcaemia
Where blood calcium levels are low & osteoclasts break down bone to release calcium into the blood
What is hypercalcaemia
Where blood calcium levels are too high which increases osteoblast activity to take calcium back into the bone
What are sutures
Fibrous joints that join the skull
What are fontanelles
Fibrous sutures (soft spots) on a baby’s head that joins the skull bones together to allow the head through the birth canal and ossify at 12-18 months
What is a callus
Mass of tissue
What are ligaments
Tough bands of connective tissue that attach bone to bone
What are osteophytes
Bone spurs usually found in osteoarthritis where compensatory bone overgrowth occurs in attempt to stabilise joint
What is eburnation
Occurs in osteoarthritis where subchondral bone beckmes hard & glossy from the articular cartilage wearing away
What are tophi
Solid urate crystals deposited under the skin
What is hyperuricaemia
Elevated blood uric acid levels due to overproduction or underexcretion & an indicator of gout
