The Skeletal System

Functions of the skeletal system Bones act as the framework of the body Bones support and protect the internal organs Joints make possible the wide variety of body movements Red bone marrow, located in the spongy bone, has an important function in the formation of blood. ( hematopoietic )

Structure of bone Bone is a form of connective tissue and is almost the hardest tissue in the human body. ( dental enamel is the hardest)

Tissues of the bone Although it is hard and dense, bone is a living structure that changes and is capable of healing itself.

Tissues of the bone Periosteum- Tough, outermost covering of the bone. Compact bone- Very strong bone that forms the outer layer of bone. Spongy bone- Lighter, not as strong as a compact bone. Commonly found in the ends and inner portions of the long bones. Red marrow is located in the spongy bone.

Tissues of the bone Medullary cavity- located in the shaft of a long bone. It is surrounded by compact bone and is lined with endosteum and contains yellow bone marrow. Yellow bone marrow acts as a fat storage.

Types of bones Long bones- longer than they are wide. Ex. Femur, humerus Short bones- roughly as long as they are wide. Ex. Carpals and tarsals Flat bones- plate shaped. Ex. Sternum, bones of the cranium, scapula. Irregular bones- shapes of the bones are very irregular. Ex. vertebrae

Joints Joints, also know as articulations, are connections between bones. Articulate means to join or come together in a manner that allows motion between parts.

The Skeleton Axial Skeleton- Consists of the skull, spinal column, ribs, and sternum. Appendicular skeleton - makes body movement possible. Its the upper extremities ( shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands) and lower extremities ( hips, thighs, legs, ankles, and feet)

Types of fractures

Complete Fracture (Radius)

Compound Fracture Complete fracture in which bone breaks through skin

Compound Fx. (tibia/fibula)

Greenstick Fx.

X-ray of Colles’ fracture

Comminuted Fracture of Lower Leg (21-year-old man was struck by a forklift)

Spiral Fracture

Pathologic fx. from tumor which compromised bone’s strength.

Dislocation of elbow ulna radius humerus

Lay terms for skeletal bones Calcaneus = heel bone Tibia = shin bone Clavicle = collar bone femur = thigh bone Scapula = shoulder blade Patella= knee cap

Key word parts Ankyl/o - stiff joint Arthr/o- joint Chondr/o- cartilage Crani/o- skull -desis- stabilize, fuse Kyph/o - hump Lord/o- bent backwards myel/o- bone marrow, spinal cord Cost/o- rib

Key word parts oste/o - bone Thorac/o- chest Spondyl/o - vertebrae Vertebr/o- vertebra Burs/o - bursa ( sac) Scoli/o- crooked bent

Key Medical terms Arthrocentesis – surgical puncture of a joint Arthralgia- joint pain Amputation- removal of a limb Osteomyelitis- inflammation of bone and bone marrow Osteotomy- surgical incision in to the bone Chondroplasty- surgical repair of cartilage Osteonecrosis- death of bone tissue

Ligament- holds bone to bone Ostealgia- bone pain Ankylosing Spondylitis- inflammation of the spine resulting in stiffening and fusion of the spine Craniotomy- surgical incision of the skull Osteotomy- surgical incision of a bone Osteomalacia- abnormal softening of bone

Cranioplasty- surgical repair of the skull Arthroscopy- view the internal structure of a joint Chondromalacia- abnormal sofetning of the bone Bursectomy –surgical removal of the bursa Lordosis- abnormal forward curve of the spine Kyphosis- abnormal outward curve of the spine Scoliosis- lateral curve of the spine Spasm- involuntary contraction of muscle Spondylosis- abnormal condition of the spine