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Which type of skull fracture involves the separation of cranial sutures?
What is the clinical relevance of synostosis in cranial sutures?
Which part of the skull contains the most bony elements?
What characterizes a depressed skull fracture?
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What is the structure formed by two layers of periosteum and dense fibrous connective tissue in cranial sutures?
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How many separate bony elements are present in the newborn skull?
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Which fracture type is characterized by laceration of all layers of the skull?
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What functional classification do cranial sutures fall under?
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Which anatomical feature distinguishes the atlas (C1) from other cervical vertebrae?
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What is the primary function of the odontoid process (dens) of the axis (C2)?
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What is the primary function of intervertebral discs in the vertebral column?
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What characteristic of thoracic vertebrae contributes to the greatest degree of rotation?
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What causes a 'slipped disc' in the context of intervertebral discs?
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How many thoracic vertebrae are there in the human body?
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Which of the following best describes osteoporosis?
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What type of joint is formed at the costovertebral joint?
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What happens during the early stages of fracture healing?
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What anatomical feature of the thoracic vertebrae aids in rib articulation?
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What holds the dens of the axis in place?
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In adults, what characterizes the curvature of the vertebral column?
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Which cervical vertebra is considered atypical?
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What type of ligaments strengthens the head's attachment to adjacent thoracic vertebrae at the costovertebral joint?
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What is the shape of the foramen in thoracic vertebrae?
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What is the primary function of the vertebral body in a typical vertebra?
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Which region of the vertebral column is most susceptible to paralysis if injured above a certain level?
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What term describes the inflammation of the vertebral column joints, resulting in increased rigidity?
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Which statement about the sizes of vertebrae is accurate?
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Which of the following processes serves a function in muscle attachment?
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What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in cervical vertebrae?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of lumbar vertebrae compared to cervical vertebrae?
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What type of injury may lead to paraplegia when occurring in the thoracic region?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the vertebral column?
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What is the result of a whiplash injury?
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What is the primary function of the lateral and superior costotransverse ligaments?
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Which anatomical feature is characteristic of lumbar vertebrae?
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What clinical condition is associated with pain in the coccygeal region?
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Which of the following statements about the sacrum is true?
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What is the main role of the coccyx in human anatomy?
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Which structure articulates with the L5 vertebra?
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Which feature distinguishes the lumbar vertebrae from other types of vertebrae?
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What is a common variation in the number of lumbar vertebrae among individuals?
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Which spinal joint connects the sacrum to the iliac region?
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What is the significance of foramina in the sacrum?
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Which type of skull fracture is characterized by a fracture that compresses inward and causes multiple fragments?
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What surgical condition may occur due to the ossification of sutures in the skull?
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How many major sutures are typically present between skull bones in adults?
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What type of cranial suture allows for some movement before ossification occurs in newborns?
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The neurocranium consists of how many individual bones?
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What is a potential complication when dealing with cranial sutures in newborns?
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Which type of skull fracture can involve damage to the brain due to laceration of all layers of the skull?
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What is the primary function of cranial sutures as described?
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What is the primary function of the nucleus pulposus in intervertebral discs?
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Which condition results from excessive rates of deposition and resorption of bone tissue?
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In which scenario does disc dehydration contribute to a measurable loss of height?
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What is the anatomical significance of the anulus fibrosus in intervertebral discs?
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Which factor describes a common cause of osteoporosis in older women?
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What is a significant consequence of a fracture in the cervical region above C4?
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Which vertebrae undergo fusion at around 30 years of age?
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Which structure primarily supports body weight in the vertebral column?
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What role do articular processes play in the vertebral column?
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What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in cervical vertebrae?
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The size of vertebrae tends to be largest at which location?
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Which condition is characterized by inflammation of the vertebral column joints leading to rigidity?
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What characteristic distinguishes the thoracic vertebrae from the cervical vertebrae?
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What are the primary functions of the vertebral column as a whole?
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Which type of vertebrae is characterized by having the greatest range and variety of movement?
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What is the primary function of the lumbosacral joint?
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Which feature is unique to lumbar vertebrae in comparison to thoracic vertebrae?
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What is the structure that stabilizes the sitting person?
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What is the consequence of coccydynia?
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Which statement is true regarding the coccyx?
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What anatomical feature allows for side-to-side movement of the head at the axis (C2)?
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Which characteristic differentiates the atlas (C1) from typical cervical vertebrae?
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How many vertebrae are typically fused to form the sacrum?
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What primary function do the superior and inferior facets of thoracic vertebrae serve?
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Which ligaments are associated with the costotransverse articulation?
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What anatomical feature contributes to the wedge shape of the sacrum?
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What structural feature is a result of the cervical vertebrae being adapted for increased leverage for muscle attachment?
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Which joint primarily connects the ribs to the thoracic vertebrae?
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What common variation can occur in the number of lumbar vertebrae?
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What unique anatomical characteristic does the axis (C2) possess to facilitate head rotation?
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Which joint allows for the passage of nerves in the sacrum?
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Which ligaments strengthen the costovertebral joint at the thoracic region?
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Which characteristic of thoracic vertebrae does NOT contribute to their ability to facilitate rotation?
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In the thoracic vertebrae, what characteristic is associated with the descending size of the vertebrae?
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What is the primary role of the atlantooccipital joint?
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Study Notes
Axial Skeleton
- The axial skeleton consists of the bones of the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum.
- The skull is composed of 22 bones, divided into the neurocranium (8 bones) and viscerocranium (14 bones).
- Neurocranium: frontal, parietal (2), temporal (2), occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid.
- Vicerocranium: nasal (2), maxilla (2), zygomatic (2), lacrimal (2), palatine (2), vomer, inferior nasal conchae (2), mandible.
- Skull fractures are classified into four major types: linear, depressed, diastatic, and basilar.
- Compound fracture: Laceration of all layers of the bone.
Cranial Sutures
- Cranial sutures are fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull.
- In adults, sutures are seams between skull bones.
- In newborns, fontanelles are present, which are areas of unossified fibrous tissue between the skull bones.
- Sutural ligament: Two layers of periosteum with dense fibrous connective tissue.
- Synostosis: Ossified suture.
- Plagiocephaly: Deformity of the skull due to the premature closure of cranial sutures.
Vertebral Column
- The vertebral column is composed of 33 vertebrae, divided into 5 regions: cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacrum (5 fused), and coccyx (3-5 fused).
- Vertebrae are larger as they descend towards the sacrum and progressively smaller towards the coccyx.
- Functions of the vertebral column: Bears body weight, supports the head, allows movement of the body, provides attachment for ribs, protects the spinal cord, descending aorta, venae cavae, thoracic duct, and esophagus, and helps maintain posture.
- Clinical significance: fractures can lead to injury of the spinal cord/nerves.
Characteristics of a Typical Vertebra
- Vertebral body: Situated anteriorly, supports body weight.
- Vertebral arch: Encloses the vertebral foramen, protects the spinal cord.
- Processes: Transverse processes (2), Spinous process (1), Superior articular processes (2), Inferior articular processes (2).
Cervical Vertebrae
- Form the skeleton of the neck.
- Vertebral body: Short and square-shaped.
- Vertebral arch: Vertebral foramen is triangular in shape.
- Spinous process: Short and bifid (except for C7).
- C1 (Atlas) is atypical, with no body or spinous process, a ring of bone for skull articulation, wide transverse processes for increased muscle leverage.
- C2 (Axis) is the strongest of the cervical vertebrae, forms the pivot for head movement, has an odontoid process (dens) that rises perpendicularly from the body.
Thoracic Vertebrae
- Provide attachment for ribs.
- Vertebral body: Heart-shaped.
- Spinous process: Overlaps.
- Facets on the bodies and transverse processes articulate with ribs.
Costovertebral Joint
- Connects ribs with the bodies of thoracic vertebrae.
- Two convex facets for the head of the rib to attach to two adjacent vertebrae.
- The tubercle articulates with the transverse process of the adjacent vertebrae.
Lumbar Vertebrae
- Largest of the vertebrae.
- Vertebral body: Kidney-shaped.
- Short, sturdy spinous process.
- Lumbar vertebrae vary in number between individuals.
Sacrum
- Formed by the fusion of 5 vertebrae.
- Articulates with L5, ilium (sacroiliac joint), and coccyx.
- Promontory protrudes into the pelvic cavity.
- Foramina allow passage of nerves.
Coccyx (Tailbone)
- Formed by the fusion of 3-5 vertebrae.
- Provides attachment for muscles and ligaments.
- Stabilises the sitting person.
- Coccydynia refers to pain in the coccygeal region.
Intervertebral Disc
- Separate adjacent vertebrae and contribute to the flexibility of the vertebral column.
- Nucleus pulposus: Soft, pulpy material that acts as a shock absorber.
- Anulus fibrosus: Concentric ring of fibrous tissue and fibrocartilage.
- Herniated disc: A tear in the anulus fibrosus allows the nucleus pulposus to bulge out and press on a spinal nerve, causing pain.
Curvature of the Vertebral Column
- The vertebral column has four curves: two primary (thoracic, sacral) and two secondary (cervical, lumbar).
Abnormal Curvatures
- Kyphosis (increased thoracic curvature)
- Lordosis (increased lumbar curvature)
- Scoliosis (lateral curvature)
Thoracic Cage
- Protects internal organs.
- Composed of ribs, the sternum, and the costal cartilages.
- Ribs: 12 pairs, classified as true, false, and floating.
- Sternum: Manubrium, body, xiphoid process.
Appendicular Skeleton
- Composed of the bones of the upper and lower limbs.
Upper Limb and Pectoral Girdle:
- Pectoral Girdle: Consists of the scapula and clavicle.
- Upper limb: humerus, radius, ulna, carpals (8), metacarpals (5), phalanges (14).
Lower Limb and Pelvic Girdle:
- Pelvic Girdle: Consists of two hip bones (ilium, ischium, pubis) fused together.
- Lower limb: femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals (7), metatarsals (5), phalanges (14).
Fracture Repair
- Hematoma formation: Blood leaks from broken blood vessels in the periosteum and bone.
- Formation of a fibrocartilaginous callus: New blood vessels form, and periosteum and endosteum cells produce cartilage.
- Bony callus formation: Trabeculae form in the callus, and the callus becomes solid.
- Remodelling: Excess material is removed, and compact bone is formed.
Common Fracture Problems
- Bone fracture: Break in the continuity of a bone.
- Dislocation: Displacement of a bone from its joint.
- Sprain: Stretching or tearing of ligaments.
- Strain: Stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon.
Other Common Bone Problems
- Osteomalacia/ Rickets: Disorder characterized by poor bone mineralization due to deficiency of Vitamin D or calcium phosphate.
- Bony spur: Abnormal projection on a bone due to overgrowth.
- Osteoporosis: Decreased bone mass due to faster resorption than deposition.
- Osteogenesis imperfecta: Brittle bone disease due to mutation in the collagen gene.
- Paget's disease: Excessive rates of deposition and resorption of bone tissue leading to malformation.
Skull
- The skull compromises 22 bones
- Neurocranium - 8 bones
- Viscerocranium - 14 bones
- Skull Fractures are the damage to the skull
- linear fracture - linear crack across the skull,
- depressed fracture - depressed inwards and fractured
- diastatic fracture - separation of the cranial sutures
- basiliar fracture - involvement of the base of the skull
- compound fracture - laceration of all layers of bone and tissue
Cranial Sutures
- Sutures are fibrous joints
- Adult sutures are seams
- Newborn sutures have fontanelles (6)
- Sutural ligaments are 2 layers of periosteum and dense fibrous connective tissue
- Synostosis is ossified suture
- Plagiocephaly - an abnormal head shape that can occur if sutures fuse too early
Vertebral Column
- The vertebral column (VC) has 33 vertebrae
- Cervical vertebrae C1-C7
- Thoracic vertebrae T1-T12
- Lumbar vertebrae L1-L5
- Sacrum - 5 fused vertebrae
- Coccyx - 3-5 fused vertebrae
- Vertebrae are larger towards the sacrum and smaller towards the coccyx
-
Functions of the VC:
- Bears weight
- Supports the head
- Allows movement of the body
- Point of attachment of the ribs
- Protection of spinal cord, descending aorta, venae cavae, thoracic duct, and oesophagus
- Helps maintain posture
Clinical Significance of Vertebral Column
- Fractures - an injury to the vertebrae that can lead to spinal cord or nerve damage
- Cervical region above C4 can result in sudden death due to diaphragm paralysis (paralyzed breathing)
- Cervical region below C4 can lead to quadriplegia (paralyzed arms and legs)
- Thoracic region can lead to paraplegia ( paralyzed legs)
- Lumbar region can lead to variable sensory and motor loss in lower extremities
- Ankylosing spondylitis - inflammation of the vertebral column joints making the spine rigid.
- Whiplash - sudden forceful movement of the head in a backward direction.
Typical Vertebrae
- Vertebral body - situated anteriorly and supports body weight
- Vertebral arch - protects the spinal cord
- Vertebral foramen - encloses the vertebral arch (all form vertebral canal)
- Pedicles - are the lateral walls of the vertebral arch
- Laminae - are the posterior walls of the vertebral arch
-
Processes
- Transverse process (2) - muscle attachment and movement
- Spinal process (1) - muscle attachment and movement
- Articular processes (4) - restrict movement
Cervical Vertebrae
- Form the skeleton of the neck, smallest vertebrae, have the greatest range of movement
- Vertebral body - short, square shaped, concave superior surface and convex inferior surface
- Vertebral arch - vertebral foramen (triangular)
- Spinous process - short and bifid (except for C7)
- C1 and C2 -specialized vertebrae
- C1 (Atlas) - atypical vertebra responsible for the nodding movement of the head - no body or spinous process - transverse processes are situated laterally - ring of bone rests on the skull (paired lateral masses) - widest vertebrae to accommodate leverage - condyloid joints allow the nodding movement of the head
- C2 (Axis) - strongest vertebrae, responsible for the side to side movement of the head
- odontoid process (dens) - pivot point for the atlas
- held in place by the transverse ligament.
Thoracic Vertebrae
- T1-T12
- Larger than cervical vertebrae due to weight support
- Vertebral body - heart-shaped, foramen is circular
- Spinous process - overlaps with each other
-
-
Costovertebral Joint - connects ribs with the thoracic vertebrae and is a plane, synovial joint
- 2 articulation points: at the head and tubercle of the rib
- 2 convex facets on the head for attachment to adjacent vertebrae
- Internal ligament - intra-articular ligament dividing the joint
- Articulation of the tubercle with the transverse process (reinforced by lateral and superior costotransverse ligaments)
-
Costovertebral Joint - connects ribs with the thoracic vertebrae and is a plane, synovial joint
Lumbar Vertebrae
- Largest vertebrae, concave, kidney-shaped vertebral body, short and sturdy spinous process
Sacrum
- 5 fused vertebrae that forms a wedge-shaped bone
- articulates with with L5, ilium (sacroiliac joint), and coccyx
- the Promontory protrudes into the pelvic cavity
- Foramina - passage of nerves
Coccyx
- coccyx (tailbone) - 4 fused bones
- provides attachment for muscles and ligaments
- Stabilizes the sitting person
-
Clinical Significance:
- ** Coccydynia**
- Fracture
- Fractured dislocation of sacrococcygeal joint (childbirth injuries)
Intervertebral Disc
- Separate adjacent vertebrae
- contribute to 25% of the length of the vertebral column
- Thickest towards the lumbar area and thinnest in the cervical area.
-
Functions:
- Shock absorbing function
- Adds to the flexibility of the VC
- Composition:
- Nucleus pulposus - soft, pulpy, yellowish elastic material
- Anulus fibrosus - concentric rings of fibrous tissue and fibrocartilage
-
Clinical Significance:
- slipped disc - tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc allowing the nucleus pulposus to bulge out
- may compress spinal nerves
- loss of height with age
Curvature
- Adult vertebral column has 4 curves:
- 2 primary curves - thoracic and sacral
- 2 secondary curves - cervical and lumbar
Abnormal Curves
- Kyphosis- abnormal outward curvature of the thoracic spine (hunchback)
- Lordosis- abnormal inward curvature in lumbar spine (swayback)
- Scoliosis - abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Thoracic Cage
- Protects the thoracic organs
- Ribs are attached to the thoracic vertebrae.
- Sternum
- Manubrium- top segment
- Body - middle segment
- Xiphoid process - bottom segment
Appendicular Skeleton
- Limbs and bones that connect the limbs to the axial skeleton (girdles).
Upper Limb
- Pectoral Girdle - shoulder girdle
- Scapula
- Clavicle
- Arm
- Humerus
- Forearm
- Radius - thumb side
- Ulna - pinky side
- Wrist and Hand
- Carpals
- Metacarpals
- Phalanges - fingers
Lower Limb
- Pelvic Girdle
- Ilium
- Ischium
- Pubis
- Thigh
- Femur - longest bone
- Leg
- Tibia - shin
- Fibula - lateral side of the leg
- Ankle and Foot
- Tarsals
- Metatarsals
- Phalanges - toes
Fracture Repair
- **Blood clot (hematoma) ** - forms at the fracture site from blood leakage
- New blood vessels - form across the hematoma within days
- Trabeculae form in the callus - becomes solid ~2 months after the fracture (fibrocartilage)
- Excess material is removed
- Compact bone is formed at the fracture site.
- Remodeling happens along lines of stress
Common problems - Fractures
- Comminuted fracture - shattered bone into multiple pieces
- Greenstick fracture - break in the bone but not all the way through (common in children)
- Open (compound) fracture - broken bone punctures the skin
- Spiral fracture - a twisting injury to the bone (common in sports)
- Stress fracture - microscopic cracks in the bone due to overuse or repetitive stress.
- Torus fracture - buckling of the bone usually occurs in children
Other Bone Problems
- Osteomalacia, Rickets - Poor mineralization of bones
- **Bony spur ** - abnormal projection on the bone due to overgrowth
- Osteoporosis - reduction in bone density
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta - brittle bone disease
- Paget’s disease - excess bone formation, leading to abnormal bone structure
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Description
This quiz covers the essential aspects of the axial skeleton, including the components of the skull and types of skull fractures. Additionally, it explores cranial sutures, their functions, and related conditions such as plagiocephaly. Test your knowledge about these foundational elements of human anatomy.
