Musculoskeletal system

Question 1

What are the types of bones?

Answer 1

Long, short, flat, irregular and sesamoid.

Question 2

Long bones

Answer 2

Structure: Long bones are longer than they are wide
Function: Production of blood cell, act as levers, generally bones of the limbs and work with joints to create movement when muscles pull on them.
E.g Femur, phalanges, humerus, radius and tibia

Question 3

Short bones

Answer 3

Structure: Box-like shape
Function: weight bearing, capable of absorbing large impact (shock absorbers) and used for fine movement
E.g Carpals and tarsals

Question 4

Flat bones

Answer 4

Structure: Thin, ,plate- like bones
Function: Protection from vital organs, have a large surface area for muscle and tendon attachment
E.g cranium, sternum, pelvis and ribs

Question 5

Irregular bones

Answer 5

Structure: Unusual shape designed for a unique purpose
Function: Usually protects something, might have lots of attachment points for muscles, provides shape and structure.
E.g vertebrae, atlas and axis

Question 6

Sesamoid bones

Answer 6

Structure: Small, rounded bones
Function: Found where a tendon passes over a joint, act to protect the tendon and resist compression.
E.g patella

Question 7

What are the 5 main functions of a skeleton?

Answer 7

Support and structure
Aids movement
Protection of vital organs
Production of blood cells
Storage of minerals

Question 8

Bone development and growth

Answer 8

As a baby most bones are made of cartilage which is soft and flexible. As you grow, the cartilage is hardened into bone through ossification. Growth occurs at growth plates (epiphyseal plate) found at either end of the long bones. Cartilage cells divide and increase in number in the growth plates. When a bone reaches its full size, the growth plates are converted into hard bone.

Question 9

What is the order of the spinal column?

Answer 9

Cool Cervical
Teenagers Thoracic
Love Lumbar
Spinal Sacrum
Columns Coccyx

Question 10

What is hyaline cartilage?

Answer 10

It covers the ends of the bones and stops them rubbing together and absorbs shock.

Question 11

What is epiphysis?

Answer 11

The ‘head’ of the bone

Question 12

What is cancellous bone?

Answer 12

Spongy bone that stores the red bone marrow where blood cells are made.

Question 13

What is an epiphyseal plate?

Answer 13

The area where bones grow in length

Question 14

What is diaphysis?

Answer 14

The shaft

Question 15

What is compact bone?

Answer 15

Hard, dense bone. It gives strength to the hollow part of the bone.

Question 16

What is periosteum?

Answer 16

A protective layer where there is no hyaline cartilage

Question 17

What is the medullary cavity/ marrow cavity?

Answer 17

It contains the yellow bone marrow where white blood cells are made

Question 18

Atlas and axis

Answer 18

Two vertebrae at the top of the vertebral column that connect the vertebral column to the cranium. Atlas supports the head and allows us to nod. Axis allows us to shake our head.

Question 19

Cervical vertebrae

Answer 19

Cervical vertebrae allows a point for muscle to attatch

Question 20

Thoracic vertebrae

Answer 20

Protects the heart and lungs. Not much movement.

Question 21

Lumbar vertebrae

Answer 21

The biggest individual vertebrae because it supports most of our body weight

Question 22

Sacrum vertebrae

Answer 22

Sacrum vertebrae are fused together to become the sacrum. They transmit body weight to the pelvic girdle.

Question 23

What are the bones that make up a joint called?

Answer 23

Articulating bones

Question 24

Agonist

Answer 24

Muscle that contracts/ shortens and is responsible for creating movement at a joint. Also known as the ‘prime mover’

Question 25

Fixator

Answer 25

Muscle around the joint from which the agonist/ prime mover originates. The fixator muscle helps to stabilise an area of the body whilst another area moves. E.g in a bench press, the anterior deltoid muscle acts as a fixator, contracting to help stabilise the shoulder.

Question 26

Tendon

Answer 26

A fibrous connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone

Question 27

Origin

Answer 27

The point where a muscle attaches to a bone which stays relatively fixed/ stationary during muscular contraction

Question 28

Insertion

Answer 28

The point where a muscle attaches to a bone which moves closer to the origin during muscular contraction.