Skeletal System Vocabulary Flashcards
Articular Cartilage
Thin layer of connective tissue covering the ends of long bones.
Amphiarthroses
Slightly moveable joints connected by fibrocartilage.
Ball and Socket Joint
Freely moveable joints in which a rounded end of bone fits into an indented end of another; allows the widest range of motion.
Condyloid/Ellipsoidal Joint
Freely moveable joints that allow bones to move in many different directions, but not to rotate
Diarthroses (Synovial Joint)
Freely moveable joints.
Fibrocartilage
Specialized connective tissue with thick collagen fibers
Gliding Joint
A freely moveable joint that allows bones to make a sliding motion.
Gomphosis
An immovable joint in which a conical process fits into a socket held in place by ligaments
Hinge Joint
A freely moveable joint that allows flexion and extension
Joint Articulation
The connecting point of two bones.
Pivot Joint
A freely moveable joint in which a bone moves around a central axis, creating rational movement
Saddle Joint
A freely moveable joint between two bones with complementary shapes; allows wide range of motion
Sutures
Immoveable joints; composed of dense fibrous connective tissue, in the skull where the cranial bones meet
Synarthroses
Immoveable joints that lack synovial cavity and held together by fibrous connective tissue.
Syndesmoses
Slightly moveable joints where bones connected by ligaments
Synovial Fluid
Lubricating substance pronounced by the synovial membrane, found in joints
Synovial Joint
Freely moveable joint; also known as diarthroses
Synovial membrane
Layer of tissue that lines joint cavities and produces synovial fluid.
Axial Skeleton
The bones of the head and trunk (skull, spine, sternum, and ribs)
Appendicular Skeleton
Bones of the pelvis and shoulder girdles, and limbs.
Osteocytes
A bone cell
Ossification
The process of none formation
Diaphysis
The shaft of a long bone
Epiphysis
The end of a long bone
Medullary Canal
The center of the shaft of the long bone
Spongy bone
Bone permeated by large marrow-filled spaces
Periosteum
The fibrous tissue that covers the bone
Osteoblast
The type of bone cell involved in the formation of bony tissues
Osteoclast
Type of bone cell involved in the formation of bony tissue
Simple fracture
A break in the bone that may be complete or incomplete, but does not break through the skin; also known as a closed fracture
Compound fracture
A complete break in the bone where the bone ends separate and break through the skin; also known as an open fracture
Greenstick Fracture
An incomplete break in the shaft of the bone occurring in children
Comminuted Fracture
A break in the bone in which the bone is shattered in many pieces
Stress fracture
A small, incomplete break in the bone that results from overuse, weakness, or biomechanical problems
Epiphyseal Plate Fracture
A break in the bone at the growth plate (typically at the wrist or the ankle)
Remodeling
The process of absorbing and replacing bone in the skeletal system
Reduction
The process of putting broken bones back into proper alignment
External Fixation
The use of a cast to maintain proper alignment of bones for the purpose of reduction
Internal Fixation
Surgical alignment of bones for the purpose of reduction
