Medical Terminology of Skeletal System

Medical Terminology of Skeletal System

• The skeletal system forms the framework of the body, protects vital organs, and works with the muscular system to produce movement at the joints.
• An adult human skeleton is composed of 206 bones.
• The skeleton is divided into two parts: the axial skeleton (yellow) and appendicular skeleton (blue).

Division of Skeletal System: Axial Skeleton

• The axial skeleton forms the central core, or "axis."
• It consists of:
  • The skull (8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones).
  • The spinal column (26 vertebrae). Cartilage disks between vertebrae provide strength and flexibility.
  • Ossicles (inner ear).
  • Hyoid bone.
  • Rib cage.

Division of Skeletal System: Appendicular Skeleton

• The appendicular skeleton is attached to the axial skeleton.

• The upper division includes:

  • The bones of the shoulder girdle (clavicle, scapula).
  • The bones of the upper extremities (humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges).

• The lower division includes:

  • The pelvic bones (two large bones joining the sacrum and coccyx to form the pelvic girdle).
  • The bones of the lower extremities (femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges).

Bone Formation

• Most bone tissue is formed by the gradual addition of calcium and phosphorus salts to cartilage.
• The bone-forming process, ossification, begins before birth and continues throughout adulthood.
• Collagen gives bone tissue strength.
• Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being replaced and remodeled throughout life.
• The three types of cells involved in these changes are:
  • Osteoblasts (produce bone)
  • Osteocytes (maintain bone tissue)
  • Osteoclasts (breakdown bone tissue to release minerals or reshape and repair).
• Bone resorption is the process of destroying bone. This activity occurs continuously, balancing with bone formation.

Joint Structure

• Joints, or articulations, are classified according to the degree of movement they allow.
• Three types of joints:
  • Sutures (immovable joints, held together by fibrous connective tissue, like skull bones).
  • Symphyses (slightly movable joints connected by fibrous cartilage, like joints between vertebral bodies).
  • Synovial joints (freely movable joints), allowing for a wide range of movements.Tendons attach muscles to bones, producing movement at joints.
• Freely movable joints have protective features: synovial fluid cushions and lubricates the joint.

Terminology Key Terms (Structures and Functions)

• Bone: A calcified form of dense connective tissue, an individual unit of the skeleton.
• Bone marrow: The soft material that fills bone cavities (yellow marrow in long bones).
• Cartilage: A type of dense connective tissue found in the skeleton, larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
• Diarthrosis/Joint: A freely movable joint, also called a synovial joint.
• Ligament: A strong band of connective tissue joining one bone to another.
• 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 from the two hip bones.
• Resorption: Removal of bone by breakdown and absorption into the circulation.
• Skeleton: The body's bony framework (80 bones in axial skeleton and 126 bones in appendicular skeleton).
• Suture: An immovable joint, as seen in the skull.
• Symphysis: A slightly movable joint.
• Synovial Fluid: The fluid in a freely movable joint.
• Synovial Joint: A freely movable joint, with a joint cavity containing synovial fluid.
• Tendon: A fibrous band of connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones.

Roots Pertaining to the Skeletal System

(Including examples and definitions of relevant terms like osteopenia, myeloid, chondroblast, arthrosis, etc.)

Disorders of Skeletal System

• Curvatures of the Spine: Exaggeration or deviation of the spinal curve, including:
  • Kyphosis (exaggerated curve in the thoracic region)
  • Lordosis (exaggerated curve in the lumbar region)
  • Scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine).
• General skeletal disorders: arthritis, fracture, gout, osteoarthritis, osteomalacia, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and rickets.

Treatment and Procedure of Skeletal System

• Alkaline phosphatase: An enzyme needed for bone formation (useful in diagnosis).
• Arthrocentesis: Aspiration of fluid from a joint by needle puncture.
• Arthroplasty: Partial or total replacement of a joint with a prosthesis.
• Arthroscopy: Examination of a joint interior or surgery using an endoscope.
• Orthopedics: The study and treatment of disorders of the skeleton, muscles, and associated structures.

Drugs of Skeletal System

• Anti-inflammatory agent: Drugs that reduce inflammation (e.g., steroids, NSAIDs).
• Bisphosphonate: Agent to prevent and treat osteoporosis.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID): Drugs that reduce inflammation but are not steroids (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen)..
• Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM): Drug acting on estrogen receptors (e.g., raloxifene); used to prevent bone loss.

Explore the complexities of the skeletal system through this informative quiz. Learn about the axial and appendicular skeletons, their components, and their critical functions in the human body. Perfect for students of anatomy or anyone interested in medical terminology.