Skeletal System Flashcards
Osteoblast
Bone forming cell (bone maker)– uses minerals to replace cartilage
Osteoclast
Bone reabsorbing cell (bone breaker)
Osteocyte
Mature bone cell
Ossification
Hardening of bone
Fontanel
Soft spot on infants’ head where cartilage has yet to ossify
Long Bones
Support weight and facilitate movement; mainly found in the arms and legs (humerus & femur)
Long Bone examples
Clavicle, Humerus, Radius, Ulna, Femur, Tibia, Fibula
Flat Bones
Protect internal organs
Flat bone examples
Skull, Ribs, Scapula, Sternum, Pelvis
Irregular Bones
Protects internal organs (vertebrae + sacrum)
Short bones
Provides stability (Wrist-carpals, ankles-tarsals)
3 Bones of the Leg
Tibia, Fibula, Femur
3 Bones of the Arm
Ulna, Radius, Humerus
Diarthroses
A freely moveable joint
Ball & Socket (Humerus to Shoulder, Femur to Hip)
Allows for the greatest range of motion; one bone has a ball, the other has a socket
Hinge (Elbow, Knee)
Bones can only move along 1 axis to flex or extend
Pivot (Vertebrae)
Allows for rotation
Gliding (Wrist, Ankle)
Bones with flat surfaces that slide across each other
Synarthrosis (Sutures on the skull)
No movement; connected by fibrous connective tissue
Amphiarthroses (Ribs to Spine)
Little or partial movement
5 functions of the skeletal system
- Supports body and provides shape
- Protects internal organs
- Movement & Anchorage
- Mineral Storage
- Hemopoiesis
Hemopoiesis
Red marrow is the site of blood cell formation
Mineral storage
Bones are a storage depot for minerals like calcium & phosphorus– the body is able to draw upon these reserves
Flexion
Brings two bones closer together (bend)
Extension
Increases the angle between two bones (extend)
Abduction
Movement away from the midline
Adduction
Movement toward the midline
Circumduction
Circular movement of a limb
Medial/Lateral Rotation
Pivot motion where a bone moves around a central axis
Pronation
Palm downward
Supination
Palm upward
Arthritis
Swelling in the joint
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative, normal wear on the joints; 80% of Americans are affected
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Autoimmune disease (immune system attacks its own tissues) which causes pain and thickening of the synovial fluid; can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs
Gout
Inflammation of a joint caused by a build up of uric acid crystals (broken from purines– you can avoid high purine foods) ; usually affects the joint of the big toe
Osteoporosis
Decrease in bone mass & density = Bone thinner, porous, and suspectible to fracture
8/10 women experience this– it makes their spine softer which is why women get shorter as they age
Rickets
Lack of Vitamin D which makes the bones become softer (osteomalacia) which can cause deformities like bowlegs and pigeon breast
Kyphosis
Hunchback, humped curvature
Lordosis
Swayback, inward curvature also known as bubble but
Scoliosis
Side to side curvature which can result in uneven shoulders
Closed (simple) fracture
Bone is broken, but doesn’t pierce the skin, can be treated with cast or splint
Open/Compound Fracture
Bone is broken and protrudes which can lead to infection if not treated properly
Comminuted Fracture
Bone is splintered into many pieces– surgery is needed to fix
Greenstick Fracture
Partially bent but bone never separates, common among children
Closed Reduction
Cast/Splint
Open Reduction
Internal Fixation– surgery, wires, metal rods
Traction
Pulling to put bone in place then cast/splint
