Skeletal System Flashcards
What is the role of the skeleton?
The skeleton provides a framework for attachment of the musculature and therefore locomotion. It provides protection to the vital organs (protects the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs), it produces red and white blood cells. It is also a storage site of calcium and phosphorus.
How is the skeleton divided?
It is divided into 206 bones (<2yrs may have 210-212 bones). The axial skeleton has 80 bones and the appendicular has 126. The axial skeleton forms the upright axis (skull, mandible, sternum, ribs, vertebrae etc. The appendicular skeleton contains the bones of the upper and lower limbs and girdles.
What are the vertebral nerves?
The vertebral nerves can be divided into 5 sections. There are 7 cervical vertebrae with 8 nerve pairs (C1-C8); 12 thoracic vertebrae and 12 pairs (T1-T12); 5 lumbar vertebrae with 5 pairs (L1-L5); 5 fused sacrum vertebrae (S1-S5) and 4 fused coccyx vertebrae with 1 pair. In total there are 26 vertebrae and 31 nerves.
What are joints and describe the types found, giving examples?
Joints are places where bones meet and are classified according to their structure. Fibrous joints are held together by connective tissue (eg sutures of cranium, syndesmosis of tibia and fibula). Cartilaginous joints by cartilage (hyaline or fibrocartilage) known as symphesis which include the ribcage, coxae and vertebrae. Synovial joints have an articular capsule and a synovial cavity.
What is the structure of a synovial joint?
There are 6 major types. The structure of a synovial joint involved the meeting of 2 bones, with their bony articular surfaces covered respectively in hyaline cartilage. A synovial membrane surrounds this joint lining the capsule, secreting synovial fluid which nourishes the cartilage and reduces friction. A capsule surrounds this. On the outside of the joint are the ligaments, which are tough and inelastic, providing stability to the joint and allowing attachment of the bones.
What are the 6 major synovial joints and give an example of each?
Plane, Hinge, Saddle, Pivot, Ball and Socket and Condyloid
What prevents abduction of the hand?
The styloid process in the hand limits abduction.
What is the name of the joint that allows rotation between C1 and C2?
The atlanto-axial joint
What joint allows protonation and supination of the hand?
The radioulnar joint
