Health Science Quiz on Osteoporosis and Arthritis

Skeletal System Overview

• The skeletal system comprises all bones and supporting tissues (tendons, ligaments, cartilage).
• Infants have about 300 bones, while adults generally have 206.
• Bones fuse together during development.

Objectives

• Understand the skeletal system's role.
• Define axial and appendicular skeletons.
• Distinguish bone types.
• Recognize skeletal form.

Functions of the Skeletal System

• Protection: The skull shields the brain and eyes; the rib cage protects the heart and lungs; vertebrae protect the spinal cord.
• Support: The skeletal system provides structural support for the body.
• Movement: Bones work with muscles through tendons and ligaments (connecting bones together). Joints are where bones meet.
• Shape: Bones give the body its shape and form.
• Blood Production: Bone marrow creates blood cells (like red blood cells).
• Mineral Storage: Bones store minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

Bone Composition

• Bones are made of two types of tissue: compact (dense) and spongy (porous).
• Spongy bone is within compact bone and is full of tiny holes.
• Bone strength comes from the organic salts (mostly calcium and phosphorus), while flexibility comes from collagen fibers and ground substances.

Blood Production (in Bone Marrow)

• Blood cells, including red blood cells, are produced within bone marrow. The marrow replaces blood cells destroyed by the liver.

Mineral Storage

• Bones store calcium and phosphorus. An excess of these minerals in the blood is stored in bones; when the levels in blood are low, the minerals are released from the bones to maintain balance.

Compact Bone

• A type of connective tissue.

Other Bone Tissues

• Bone marrow
• Endosteum
• Periosteum
• Nerves
• Blood vessels
• Cartilage

Divisions of the Skeletal System

• Axial skeleton: Forms the central axis of the body (head, neck, and trunk).
• Appendicular skeleton: Attached to the axial skeleton and comprises the limbs.

Axial Skeleton

• Skull: The bony structure of the head, protecting the brain and supporting facial features. It contains 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones.
• Vertebral Column: The spine, made up of 33 vertebrae. Different regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx) have different numbers of bones.
• Ribs: Thin, flat, curved bones forming a protective cage around upper body organs. They're in 12 pairs (true, false, floating).
• Sternum: A flat bone in the center of the chest. It forms the front of the rib cage, protecting vital organs.

Appendicular Skeleton

• Upper Limbs: Comprises the arm (humerus), forearm (radius and ulna), and hand (carpals, metacarpals, phalanges). Key areas include the shoulder girdle.
• Lower Limbs: Contains the thigh (femur), leg (tibia and fibula), and foot (tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges). The pelvic girdle connects these to the axial skeleton.
• Shoulder Girdle: Includes two clavicles (collarbones) and two scapulae (shoulder blades).
• Pelvic Girdle: Made of two hip bones (coxal bones) and connects the lower limbs to the axial skeleton (e.g., the sacrum).

Types of Bones

• Long Bones: Longer than wide; found in limbs (e.g., femur, humerus, radius, tibia).
• Short Bones: Roughly cube-shaped; found in wrists and ankles.
• Irregular Bones: Vary in shape; include vertebrae and some facial bones.
• Flat Bones: Thin and flat, and may be slightly curved including plates like in the skull, pelvis, sternum, and ribs.
• Sesamoid Bones: Small bones embedded in tendons; modify pressure and reduce friction in joints (e.g., patella).

Skeletal Diseases

• Osteoporosis: A disease weakening bones by reducing density and quality, increasing fracture risk.
  • Causes: Age, hormone imbalances, genetics, body size, calcium intake, and lack of activity
  • Symptoms: Back pain, height loss, stooped posture, and easy bone breakage
  • Treatment: Calcium-rich diet, vitamin D intake, exercise, and stopping smoking and drinking
• Arthritis: Inflammation of joints.
  • Causes: Reduction in cartilage; inflammation or injury to joints; attacks by the body's immune system.
  • Symptoms: Joint pain, limited movement, swelling, redness, and tenderness.
  • Treatment: Surgery, home remedies, medication and joint injections.
• Scoliosis: Abnormal curvature of the spine (spine might rotate or appear uneven).
  • Causes: Birth defects, growing children, aging, injury, and previous spine surgery
  • Symptoms: Uneven shoulders or hips; pain; difficulties breathing
  • Treatment: Bracing or surgical correction (depending on severity).