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Foundation Year MBChB > Physiology of the Skeletal System > Flashcards

Physiology of the Skeletal System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the importance of the skeletal system?

A

One of the major systems of the body
Sometimes grouped with the muscular system as the musculoskeletal system

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2
Q

What is bone material?

A

A specialised form of extracellular matrix (crystalised)
Maintained and made by living cells

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3
Q

How can bones be used by the body?

A

Structurally and physiologically

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4
Q

What are the structural roles of the skeleton?

A

Provides physical support for the body
Attachment points for muscles
Protection of internal structures (Ribcage protects ribs and Skull protects brain)

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5
Q

Is a femur’s role to protect?

A

No a femur is a limb bone and so has the purpose of attaching muscles

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6
Q

How can a muscle be identified as responsible for protection of internal organs?

A

If it is close to the skin

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7
Q

How does the ribcage protect the lungs?

A

Prevents any unnecessary pressure from damaging the lungs as the air pressure increase when a person exhales

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8
Q

How does the skull protect the brain?

A

The brain has a jelly like consistency and so can be easily damaged, therefore the skull prevents any brain damage from occurring

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9
Q

Are there any bones to protect the blood vessels?

A

No, blood vessels are unprotected

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10
Q

What how does the general function of bones occur and are there any other roles for bones?

A

As of joints
They also have physiological roles

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11
Q

What are the physiological roles of bones?

A

Stores various minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorus
Produces blood (bone marrow)

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12
Q

How does the composition of bone marrow change in adults?

A

Adults generally have lower quantities of red bone marrow and have more yellow and brown bone marrows

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13
Q

What are the different bone marrows responsible for?

A

Red bone marrow= red blood cells
Yellow and brown marrow= adipose (fatty) tissues

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14
Q

How long does it take for the entire blood supply to be produced by the boens?

A

3-4 months; very slow rate of production

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15
Q

Why is calcium needed in the body?

A

Muscle contractions
Synaptic transmissions

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16
Q

Why is phosphorus needed in the body?

A

ATP production
DNA/RNA nucleotides
Proteins- proteins activated when phosphorus added to them

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17
Q

Why does bone undergo its own physiological processes?

A

It is a living tissue and requires maintenance

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18
Q

What are osteogenic cells?

A

Precursors/makers of osteoblasts (stem cells)

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19
Q

What are osteoblasts?

A

Cells that build bone
Secrete extracellular matrix

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20
Q

What are osteocytes?

A

Osteoblasts that are encased in bone (calcified)
Maintain mineral levels, send signals via cell-cell signaling

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21
Q

What are osteoclasts?

A

Cells that reabsorb bone- cells that digest bone and break it down

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22
Q

How do osteoclasts obtain calcium and phosphorus?

A

By breaking down bone, as bone material has a limited life span and so wears out

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23
Q

Why do osteoclasts break down bone?

A

Microscopic changes to proteins and therefore, to change need to break down old bone
Overtime all bone is replaced, osteoclasts renew bone

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24
Q

What can osteoclasts do when a healing a broken bone?

A

Get rid of the extra sticking out bone as the osteoblasts rebuild bone

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25
What are the two major mechanisms that allow the formation of bone?
Endochondral ossification: bone develops from a precursor made of cartilage (osteoblasts make the bone inside cartilage) Intramembranous ossification: bone development from general connective tissue (general connective tissue potentially quite tough)
26
Which bones are made from each mechanism?
Endochondral ossification makes most bones of the limbs- however most of the bones in the face are produced from intramembranous ossification
27
What occurs in both mechanisms regarding the production of bone?
The bone replaces the cartilage/connective tissue and doesn't convert it
28
What are the benefits of cartilage as a precursor?
As a precursor (and with some remaining) the cartilage can act as a shock absorber, and allow for growth
29
Why do bones fuse together?
The smaller areas fuse together as to allow for the bone to increase and lengthen
30
What does the increased length (due to cartilage fusing together) benefit?
The fusion of the epiphysis and diaphysis
31
What does the precursor allow?
Allows developing structure to function
32
How can muscles develop properly?
By attaching properly
33
What is osteoid?
The organic component of bone material
34
How are osteoid, osteoblasts and osteocytes linked together?
Osteoid is produced by the osteoblasts and the osteocytes maintain it
35
What is osteoid composed of?
Largely composed of collagen (type 1) which is flexible
36
What is hydroxyapatite and what is its function?
Hardens the osteoid Is a form of calcium phosphate, and is modified with added calcium carbonate
37
What is the significance of the terms "hard" and "malleable"?
If a material is hard, it is relatively weak and so when it is hit it will break If a material is malleable, it is relatively strong as it will dent and not break easily
38
How can osteoid be described?
As malleable and holds well together; the minerals are hard but brittle In combination the bones are hard but brittle, and malleable, and both characteristics decrease the risk of fractures
39
What is calcification?
When osteoid has hydroxyapatite added to it
40
How does bone production occur?
Osteoblasts produce a special form of extracellular matrix This matrix becomes calcified (a process known as mineralisation), making bone which surrounds and encases the osteoblast The encased osteoblast then becomes an osteocyte, the most common form of bone cell
41
What happens to the old bone material?
The osteoclasts break it down
42
What is the purpose of bone turnover?
Allows for maintenance and reshaping of the bone
43
Why do bones undergo reshaping?
In response to damage To adapt to the demands of the bone
44
How can bones take into account any missing muscle?
Grow towards the missing muscle and so then allow the muscle to move
45
How can it be identified if muscles require more support?
Muscle attachments are all different shapes, and so the more outgrown they are shows how strong the muscle is More support is required for stronger muscles
46
How are force and bone recycling linked?
The less force that is on a bone shows that they are apparently weaker, and so their resources can be recycled
47
What does the microstructure of bone contain?
Osteon (rings of lamellae) Periosteum Central canal (also at the centre of osteon) Lacunae (tiny cavities containing osteocytes) (Yellow) Marrow
48
What is the importance of the central canals in bones?
Contain blood vessels and so supply nutrients to osteocytes When the bone is broken down the minerals are returned to the blood
49
What is the position of osteons is spongy bone?
Branching out
50
What is the appearance of the osteon?
Constrained (twisted around) bone
51
What is the composition of bone marrow in adults and why?
Adults have mostly yellow or brown bone marrow, with little re bone marrow, due to a slower rate of blood component development
52
Why are the tiny channels (lacunae) important?
Allow for communication
53
Why is the bone important in regards to minerals?
When phosphorus and calcium levels are low in the blood they can be extracted from the bone The bones hold 99% of the body's calcium supply The bones hold 80% of the body's phosphorus supply
54
What is the importance of the parathyroid gland?
Can secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) to trigger osteoclasts to break down the bone matrix and release minerals into the bloodstream
55
Where are the parathyroid glands located?
Small structures on the back of the thyroid
56
What is the significance of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in response to calcium?
It is released in response to low blood serum Ca2+ ions PTH triggers the activity of osteoclasts, which break down the bone matrix and therefore release its component calcium into the bloodstream Ca2+ increases and results in less PTH being released. Negative feedback (as part of homeostasis)
57
What occurs during hypercalcemia?
Higher levels of Ca2+ in the blood (than normal) leads to the thyroid releasing calcitonin Calcitonin triggers osteoblast activity to increase (more bone is made and Ca2+ levels in blood decrease as is being used up) Ca2+ reabsorption in the kidney decreases Ca2+ levels are brought down to normal
58
What occurs during hypocalcemia?
Lower levels of Ca2+ in the blood (than normal) leads to the parathyroid gland releasing parathyroid hormone This leads to increased osteoclast activity in the bone, and increased Ca2+ reabsorption in the kidney This then causes calcitriol to be triggered and increases Ca2+ absorption from the gut Ca2+ levels are brought up to normal
59
What is hematopoiesis?
The process of producing blood cells
60
Where are haemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) found and what is their function?
Found in the bone marrow and produce all forms of blood cells including red blood cells (erythrocytes) and white blood cells (lymphocytes and other immune cells)
61
What is the link between blood cell production and bone marrow?
Blood cell production specifically occurs in red bone marrow. However, in hypoxic conditions, blood cell production can occur in yellow bone marrow which can become red bone marrow, but is usually a store of fat

Foundation Year MBChB (27 decks)

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