MSK Overview Flashcards
What are the musculoskeletal components?
bones
joints
tendons
ligaments
skeletal muscles
nerves
cartilage
What are the 6 functions of the skeleton?
protection
shape
blood production
calcium storage
support
movement
How does the skeleton provide protection?
the cranium protects the soft tissue of the brain
the rib cage protects the delicate heart and lungs
the vertebrae protect the spinal cord
the pelvis protects the reproductive organs
How does the skeleton provide shape?
without the skeleton, the body would be flabby and shapeless
How does the skeleton provide blood production?
RBCs are made in the ribs and limb bones
How does the skeleton provide calcium storage?
bone is the largest supply of calcium - 99% of the body’s calcium is found in bones
How does the skeleton provide support?
the vertebrae support the head
How does the skeleton provide movement?
the bones and joints work with the muscles to enable us to walk, run, and sprint
Is compact (cortical) bone dense or soft?
dense
Is spongy (cancellous) bone dense or soft?
soft
What are the characteristics of compact/cortical bone?
relatively solid
found on external surface of bone
thickest where stresses arrive from a limited range of directions
What are the characteristics of spongy/cancellous bone?
open network of struts and plates
located inside the bone
much lighter and easier for muscles to move
How do most bones originate?
hyaline cartilage
How is cartilage converted to bone?
ossification
How much of the adult skeleton is replaced each year?
25%
the entire skeleton turns over every 10 years
What is a joint?
where 2 bones connect
What joint is the most prone to instability?
shoulder because it is a ball and socket joint
What do ligaments do?
attach bone to bone
What do tendons do?
attach muscle to bone
What do skeletal muscles do?
contract to pull on tendons and move the bones of the skeleton
maintain posture and body position
support soft tissues
guard entrances and exits to digestive and urinary tracts
maintain body temperature
What do nerves do?
control the contraction of skeletal muscles
interpret sensory information
coordinate activities of the body’s organ system
What is cartilage?
firm gel-like connective tissue
What are the 3 types of cartilage?
hyaline
elastic
fibrocartilage
What is hyaline cartilage?
the most common type
provides stiff but somewhat flexible support
covers bony surfaces at the joint surfaces to protect the bone
What is elastic cartilage?
provides support but can tolerate distortion without damage and return to its original shape
What is fibrocartilage?
resists compression
pads the joint and prevents contact between bones during movement
Injury can reduce joint mobility and function
What are 2 common fibrocartilages?
meniscus of the knee
triangular fibrocartilage of the wrist
What are 2 largely important msk causes of disability in the elderly?
osteoarthritis
osteoporosis
What is osteoarthritis?
long and slow continuum of joint changes and symptoms that involves tissue atrophy and loss of function involving bone, articular cartilage, and intervertebral discs
What is osteoporosis?
loss of bone density due to inability of bone production to keep up with destructin
What is sarcopenia?
loss of muscle mass and strength and consequent functional impairment that occurs with aging
