unit 2 (skeletal system) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
amphiarthrosis
joints that are slightly movable; include the ribs and the pelvis
amputation
removal of a limb; usually surgical
analgesic
drug that relieves pain
ankylosing spondylitis
a form of rheumatoid arthritis characterized by inflammation of vertebral joints, which can become fused and stiff; also known as rheumatoid arthritis of the spine
ankylosis
a stiff joint caused by adhesion, or abnormal fusion of two bones into one
anti-inflammatory
agent that counteracts inflammation
antipyretic
agent that reduces fever
appendicular skeleton
the bones in the appendages of the body, as well as the structures that connect the appendages to the axial skeleton
arthralgia
pain in a joint or joints
arthritis
inflammation of joints; usually accompanied by pain and, frequently, structural changes in bone and cartilage
arthrocentesis
structural puncture of the joint space with a needle to remove accumulated fluid
arthrodesis
surgical immobilization of a joint
arthroplasty
surgical repair of a joint
arthroscopy
visual examination of a joint using a scope
axial skeleton
the bones along the axis, or central line, of the human body
body
the middle part of the sternum between the manubrium and the xiphoid process
bone density test
X-ray test that determines loss of, or changes in, bone density; is used to diagnose diseases such as osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and osteopenia, also called bone densitometry
bone depression
an opening or hollow region in the surface of a bone at which one bone articulates with another to form a joint
bone grafting
process of transplanting and implanting tissue from one part of the body to another; used to repair a defect or injury
bone marrow aspiration
process involving the use of a syringe and needle to withdraw bone marrow liquid
bone processes
areas on bone that extend outward and serve as attachment zones for muscles and tendons
bone scan
a nuclear scanning test that identifies bone fractures, tumors, or infections
bunion
joint swelling at the base of the great toe, caused by inflammation of the bursa
bursa sac
a sac that contains synovial fluid in ball-and-socket and hinge joints
bursectomy
surgical removal of the bursa
bursitis
inflammation of the bursa, usually between bony protrusions and muscle or tendon
calcaneus
the largest tarsal bone; also called the heelbone
cancellous bone
a type of bone that is much more porous and much less dense than compact bone; also called trabecular bone or spongy bone
carpals
the bones that make up the wrist
cast
solid mold of a body part, used to immobilize fractures or dislocations
cervical vertebrae
the seven vertebral bone segments that make up the neck region of the spine; also called the C-spine
chiropractors
healthcare professionals who treat illness and injury of the neuromusculoskeletal system
chondromalacia
softening of the cartilage
clavicle
the bone of the shoulder girdle that forms the collarbone
closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF)
external manipulation to restore a fractured bone to normal position
coccyx
the vertebral bone that is formed when the four coccygeal vertebrae fuse together to become one; also known as the tailbone
Colles fracture
a fracture of the distal radius (bone on the thumb side of the forearm) that results from a fall onto an outstretched hand
comminuted fracture
a bone that has been splintered or has been crushed
compound fracture
a broken bone with an open wound leading to the site of the fracture, or bone that protrudes through the skin; also called an open fracture
computed tomography (CT)
a process in which radiographic images of a specific section of the body are taken from multiple angles and then analyzed by a computerr to identify injury or disease; also known as computerized tomography
condyle
a rounded-knuckle process at a joint
cortical bone
a type of bone that is very dense, hard, and strong; also called compact bone
costals
the twelve pairs of ribs that attach posteriorly to the thoracic vertebrae
cranium
the bones of the skull that protect the brain
diaphysis
the shaft of a long bone
diarthroses
joints that are freely movable; include ball-and-socket, hinge gliding, pivot, condylar, and saddle joints
diskectomy
surgical removal or herniated (raptured) vertebral disk
dislocation
total displacement of a bone from its joint; also called luxation
epiphyseal plate
an area of cartilage tissue in long bones that is consistently being replaced by new, bone tissue as the bone grows; also known as the epiphyseal line or growth plate
epiphysis
the end of a long bone
ethmoid bone
the cranial bone that forms part of the nose, eye socket, and floor of the cranium
false ribs
four pairs of ribs that indirectly attach to the sternum by connecting with the cartilage of the ribs above them
femur
the upper leg bone and the longest bone in the human body; also called the thighbone
fibula
the smaller of the two lower leg bones that is located laterally to the tibia
fissure
a deep, narrow, slit-like opening in a bone
flat bones
bones that protect vital organs and provide a broad surface area for muscle attachment
floating ribs
the two pairs of ribs that attach to the thoracic vertebrae, not to the sternum or to the costal cartilage
fontanels
soft spots between the cranial bones where cranial bones are not completely joined; usually found in newborns
foramen
a passageway within a bone for blood vessels and nerves
fossa
a commonly seen shallow pit or cavity in or on a bone
fracture
a break in a bone
frontal bone
the cranial bone that forms the forehead
gout (gowt)
form of arthritis in which uric acid builds up in the blood and causes joint swelling and pain; also called gouty arthritis
greenstick fracture
an incomplete fracture in which the bone is bent and partially broken
hematopoiesis
the production of blood cells in the bone marrow
herniated disk
an intervertebral disk that has slipped or ruptured
humerus
the upper arm bone
ilium
the broad, blade-shaped bone of the pelvic girdle that forms the upper part of each side of the pelvis
intervertebral disks
pieces of cartilage that lie between most vertebrae, act as shock absorbers, and allow for movement of the spinal column
irregular bones
bones that have an unusual or complex shape and that provide both support and protection yet allow flexible movement
ischium
the bone of the pelvic girdle that forms the posterior part of the pelvic bone
kyphosis
abnormal, outward curvature of the thoracic spine; humpback; called Dowager’s hump in older women
lacrimal bones
the facial bones that make up part of the eye socket; contain channels through which tears flow
ligaments
fibrous cords of tissue that attach bone to bone
long bones
bones found in the extremities of the skeleton
longitudinal fracture
a fracture that runs parallel to the long axis of the bone
lordosis
abnormal, forward curvature of the lumbar spine; also called swayback
lumbago
pain in the lower back (lumbar) region
lumbar puncture
spinal tap; needle aspiration of spinal canal fluid in the lumbar area
lumbar vertebrae
the five vertebral bone segments that make up the lower back and are the strongest and largest vertebrae (L-spine)
magnetic resonance images (MRI)
a noninvasive scanning test that involves use of an electromagnetic field and radio waves to visualize soft-tissue structures
mandible
the facial bone that forms the lower jawbone; is also the only facial bone capable of movement
manubrium
the uppermost part of the sternum
manubrium
the uppermost part of the sternum
maxillary bones
the facial bones that form the upper jawbone
medullary cavity
the hollow center of cortical bone that contains yellow bone marrow composed chiefly of fat cells
metacarpals
the bones that make up the hand
metatarsals
the bones that make up the foot
myeloma
cancer of the plasma cells (a type of white blood cells) that originates in the bone marrow
narcotic
drug that relieves pain and induces sleep by depressing the central nervous system
nasal bones
the facial bones that form the bridge of the nose
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
agent that relieves pain, counteracts inflammation, and reduces fever; commonly used to treat arthritis
oblique fracture
a break across the bone at an angle
occipital bones
the cranial bones that form the posterior floor and walls of the cranium
open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)
surgical procedure involving the use of steel rods, plates, or screws to realign a severe bone fracture to normal position
orthopedic surgeons
physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders, sports injuries, arthritis, and fractures
orthosis
straightening or correction of bone deformity
ostealgia
pain in the bone
osteitis
inflammation of the bone
osteoarthritis
joint disease that mostly affects cartilage between the bone and joint; also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD)
osteochondroma
tumor or bony projection that covers cartilage
osteoma
tumor of the bone
osteomalacia
abnormal softening of the bone; also known as rickets in the children
osteomyelitis
inflammation of the bone and bone marrow
osteopenia
bone deficiency; in a young person, less-than-average bone density
osteoplasty
surgical correction of the bone
osteoporosis
condition of small holes in the bones; noticeable loss of bone density
osteosarcoma
malignant tumor that arises from connective tissue and affects the bone
osteotomy
incision through the bone
ostitis
inflammation of the bone
Paget’s disease
excessive breakdown of bone and abnormal, enlarged bone formation; also known as osteitis deformans
palatine bone
the facial bone that forms the posterior part of the hard palate in the mouth
parietal bones
the cranial bones that form the roof and upper sides of the cranium
patella
the bone that forms the anterior part of the knee; also called the kneecap
pathologic fracture
a fracture resulting from pressure on weakened bone
pelvic girdle
the bones that support attachment of the lower extremities to the axial skeleton; includes the ischium, illium, and pubis
periosteum
the outer membrane of a bone
periostitis
inflammation of the periosteum, the covering that surrounds the bone
phalanges
the finger and toe bones; include the proximal, medial, and distal phalanges
physical therapists (PTs)
healthcare professionals who work with a patient’s doctor to develop a plan for restoring and maintaining the patient’s maximum movement and functional ability
physical therapy
rehabilitation that focuses on restoring physical function and preventing disability
prosthesis
artificial replacement for a missing body part, such as an extremity (arm or leg)
prosthetist
a person who measures, designs, fabricates, fits, and services a prosthesis (prahs-THEE-sis), or artificial limb
pubis
the bone of the pelvic girdle that forms the anterior part of the pelvic bone
radiologic technologists
healthcare professionals who perform diagnostic imaging (X-rays) of the body for diagnosis or treatment of health conditions
radius
the small bone found on the thumb side of the forearm
rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
a chronic, systemic disease characterized by inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints; results in crippling deformities
rheumatoid factor (RF)
a blood test performed to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
sacrum
the slightly curved, triangular-shaped vertebral bone composed of five segments that gradually fuse together to become one; also called the S-spine
scapula
the bone of the shoulder girdle that forms the shoulder blade
scoliosis
abnormal, lateral curvature of the spine
sequestrum
bone tissue death that occurs when the bone has become sequestered, or seperated, from the healthy tissue around it, due to lack of blood supply
sesamoid bones
bones that are embedded in tendons and that facilitate joint movement; are found in the patella, hands, wrists, and feet
short bones
cube shaped, spongy bones located in the hands and feet
shoulder girdle
the bones that support attachment of the upper extremities to the axial skeleton; includes the clavicle, sternum, and scapula
simple fracture
a broken bone that does not penetrate the skin; also called a closed fracture
sinus
a hollow cavity within a bone
skull
the skeletal structure that contains the cranial and facial bones
sphenoid bone
the cranial bone that forms part of the base of the skull and the floor and sides of the eye sockets
spina bifida
split spine; congenital defect in which part of the membrane covering the spinal cord protrudes through a gap in the spine
spinal curvatures
abnormal curvatures of the spine
spiral fracture
a fracture in which the bone has been twisted apart
splint
an appliance made of bone, wood, metal, or plaster of Paris; used for fixation of an injured body part
spondylosis
stiffening of the spine; also called spinal osteoarthritis
spondylosyndesis
surgical fusion of joints (ankylosis) between vertebrae; also called spinal fusion
sprain
trauma to the ligaments surrounding a joint, causing pain and, in some cases, disability
sternum
the thoracic bone that forms the breastbone and serves as the anterior attachment for the ribs; is a part of the shoulder girdle
stress fracture
a small crack in bone resulting from chronic, excessive impact
subluxation
partial dislocation of a bone from its joint
sulcus
a groove or furrow in a bone
sutures
immovable joints at which cranial bones attach to each other
synarthroses
joints that are immovable; for example, the cranium
synovial joints
ball-and-socket and hinge joints that contain membranes that secrete synovial fluid
talipes
congenital deformity of the foot involving the talus (anklebone); also called clubfoot
tarsals
the bones that make up the ankle
temporal bones
the cranial bones that form the sides and base of the cranium
tendinitis
inflammation of a tendon
tendon
a band of fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone
tendonitis
inflammation of a tendon
tenotomy
incision to, or cutting of, a tendon
thoracic vertebrae
the twelve vertebral bone segments that serve as the posterior attachment for the ribs; also called the T-spine (T1-T12)
thorax
the skeletal structure that makes up the rib cage, containing the sternum, ribs, and thoracic vertebrae
tibia
the larger, medially located lower leg bone; also called the shinbone
traction
application of a pulling force to align a dislocated part of the body
transverse fracture
a fracture that runs straight across the bone, at a right angle to the long axis
trochanter
one of two large processes found on the femur, or thigh bone
true ribs
the three pairs of ribs that attach anteriorly to the costal cartilage; also called fixed ribs
tubercle
a small round process found on many bones
tuberosity
a large, rough process found on many bones
ulna
the large forearm bone, the proximal end of which forms the elbow
vertebral column
26 bone segments arranged in 5 sections that surround and protect the delicate spinal cord; also called the spine
vomer bone
the facial bone that divides the left and right cavities of the nose; also called the septum
X-ray
radiographic image used to diagnose skeletal changes in the body
xiphoid process
the lowermost part of the sternum
zygomatic bones
the facial bones that form the cheekbones
