The Skeleton: Key Terms Flashcards
articulation
a joint
atlas
the first cervical vertebra
axis
the second cervical vertebra
bone
a calcified form of dense connective tissue; osseous tissue; also an individual unit of the skeleton made such tissue
bone marrow
the soft material that fills bone cavities. Yellow marrow fills the center cavity of the long bones; blood cells are formed in red bone marrow, which is located in spongy bone tissue
burse
a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction near a joint
cartilage
a type of dense connective tissue that is found in the skeleton, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. It is the precursor to most bone tissue.
diarthrosis
a freely movable joint; also called a synovial joint
diaphysis
the shaft of a long bone
epiphyseal plate
the growth region of a long bone, located in the metaphysis, between the diaphysis and the epiphysis. When bone growth ceases, this area appears as the epiphyseal line.
epiphysis
the irregularly shaped end of a long bone
ilium
the large, flared, superior portion of the pelvic bone
joint
the junction between two bones; articulation
ligament
a strong band of connective tissue that joins one bone to another
metaphysis
the region of a long bone between the diaphysis (the shaft) and epiphysis (end); during development; the growing region of a long bone
ossification
the formation of bone tissue
osteoblast
a cell that produces bone tissue
osteoclast
a cell that destroys bone tissue
osteocyte
a mature bone cell that nourishes and maintains bone tissue
pelvis
the large ring of bone at the inferior trunk. Formed of the two hip bones (ossa coxae) joined to the sacrum and coccyx. Each os coxae is formed of three bones, the superior, flared ilium; ischium; and pubis
periosteum
the fibrous membrane that covers a bone’s surface
resorption
removal of bone by breakdown and absorption into the circulation
skeleton
the body’s bone framework, consisting of 206 bones. The axial portion (80 bones) is composed of the skull, spinal column, ribs, and sternum. The appendicular skeleton (126 bones) contains the bones of the arms and legs, shoulder girdle, and pelvis
suture
an immovable joint, such as the joints between the skull bones
symphysis
a slightly movable joint
synovial fluid
the fluid contained in a freely movable (diarthrotic joint); synovia
synovial joint
a freely movable joint; has a joint cavity containing synovial fluid; a diarthrosis
tendon
a fibrous band of connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone
thorax
the upper part of the trunk between the neck and the abdomen; formed by the 12 pairs of ribs and sternum
acetabulum
the bony socket in the hip bone that holds the head of the femur
ankylosing spondylitis
a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease involving the spinal joints and surrounding soft tissue, most common in young males; also called rheumatoid spondylitis
ankylosis
immobility and fixation of a joint
arthritis
inflammation of a joint
chondrosarcoma
a malignant tumor of cartilage
curvature of the spine
an exaggerated spinal curve, such as scoliosis, lordosis, or kyphosis
DJD
Degenerative joint disease: osteoarthritis
fracture
a break in a bone. In a closed or simple fracture, the broken bone does not penetrate the skin; in an open fracture, there is an accompanying wound in the skin
gout
a form of acute arthritis, usually beginning in the knee or foot, caused by deposit of uric acid salts in the joints
herniated disk
protrusion of the center (nucleus pulposus) of an intervertebral disk into the spinal canal; ruptures or “slipped” disk
kyphosis
an exaggerated curve of the spine in the thoracic region; hunchback, humpback
lordosis
an exaggerated curve of the spine in the lumbar region; swayback
OA
Osteoarthritis: progressive deterioration of joint cartilage with growth of new bone and soft tissue in and around the joint; the most common form is arthritis; results from wear and tear, injury, or disease; aka DJD
osteogenic sarcoma
a malignant bone tumor; osteosarcoma
osteomalacia
a softening and weakening of the bones due to vitamin D deficiency or other disease
osteomyelitis
inflammation of bone and bone marrow caused by infection, usually bacterial
osteopenia
a lower than average bone density, which may foreshadow osteoporosis
osteoporosis
a ocndition characterized by reduction in bone density, most common in white women past menopause; predisposing factors include poor diet, inactivity, and low estrogen levels
Paget disease
skeletal disease of the elderly characterized by bone thickening and distortion with bowing of long bones; osteitis deformans
Pott disease
inflammation of the vertebrae, usually caused by tuberculosis
RA
Rheumatoid arthritis: a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown origin resulting in inflammation of peripheral joints and related structures; more common in women and men
rheumatoid factor
a group of antibodies found in the blood in cases of RA and other systemic diseases
rickets
faulty bone formation in children, usually caused by deficiency in Vit D.
sciatica
severe pain in the leg alone the course of the sciatic nerve, usually related to spinal nerve root irritation
scoliosis
a sideways curvature of the spine in any region
spondylolisthesis
a forward displacement of one vertebra over another, “a slipping”
spondylolysis
degeneration of the articulating portions of a vertebra allowing for spinal distortion, specifically in the lumbar region
alkaline phosphotase
an enzyme needed in the formation of bone, serum activity of this enzyme is useful in dx
arthrocentesis
aspiration of fluid from a joint by needle puncture
arthrodesis
surgical immobilization (fusion) of a joint; artificial ankylosis
arthroplasty
partial or total replacement of a joint with a prosthesis
arthroscopy
use of an endoscope to examine the interior of a joint or to perform surgery on the joint; the instrument used is an arthroscope
diskectomy
surgical removal of a herniated disk; discetomy
orthopedics
the study and tx of disorders of the skeleton, muscles and associated structures
reduction of a fracture
return of a fractured bone to normal position; may be closed (not requiring surgery) or open (requiring surgery)
traction
the process of drawing or pulling, such as traction of the head in the treatment of injuries to the cervical vertebrae
anti inflammatory agent
drug that reduces inflammation; includes steroids, such as hydrocortisone, and non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID)
bisphosphonate
agent used to prevent and treat osteoporosis; increases bone mass by decreasing bone turnover. Examples: alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), and ibandronate (Boniva)
NSAID
non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs: drugs that reduce inflammation but is not a steroid; ex: aspirin, ibuprofen, and other inhibition of prostaglandins, naturally produced substances that promote inflammation
SERM
selective estrogen receptor modulator : drug that acts on estrogen receptors. Other SERMs are used to prevent and treat estrogen-sensitive breast ca
