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Anatomy & Physiology: Bones, Skeleton, and Joints Study Guide

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Terms in this set (69)

  • Functions of bones

    Support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell formation, and energy storage.

  • Bone classifications

    Long bones (longer than wide), short bones (cube-shaped), flat bones (thin, flat), irregular bones (complex shapes), and sesamoid bones (embedded in tendons).

  • Function and location of red bone marrow

    Red bone marrow produces blood cells; found in spongy bone of flat bones and epiphyses of long bones; decreases with age, replaced by yellow marrow.

  • Yellow bone marrow function and location

    Yellow marrow stores fat; found in the medullary cavity of long bones; increases with age as red marrow decreases.

  • General anatomical features of a long bone

    Diaphysis (shaft), epiphyses (ends), medullary cavity, articular cartilage, periosteum, and endosteum.

  • Functions of bone markings

    Bone markings serve as sites for muscle attachment, joint formation, and passageways for nerves and blood vessels.

  • Five types of bone cells and their functions

    Osteogenic cells: stem cells; osteoblasts: build bone; osteocytes: maintain bone; bone lining cells: regulate calcium; osteoclasts: resorb bone.

  • What happens to an osteoblast when surrounded by matrix?

    It becomes an osteocyte, a mature bone cell embedded in the matrix.

  • Definition and features of an osteon

    An osteon is the structural unit of compact bone, consisting of concentric lamellae around a central canal containing blood vessels and nerves.

  • Organization and function of spongy vs. compact bone

    Spongy bone has trabeculae and is lighter, supporting marrow; compact bone is dense, providing strength and protection.

  • Intramembranous ossification overview

    Bone forms directly from mesenchymal tissue; forms flat bones like the skull; involves one ossification center.

  • Endochondral ossification overview

    Bone forms by replacing hyaline cartilage; forms most bones; involves primary and secondary ossification centers.

  • Difference between interstitial and appositional growth

    Interstitial growth increases bone length; appositional growth increases bone thickness.

  • Events at the epiphyseal plate during bone length growth

    Zones of proliferation, hypertrophy, calcification, and ossification allow new cartilage to be replaced by bone, lengthening the bone.

  • Key regulators of bone growth at epiphyseal plate

    Growth hormone is most important in childhood; others include thyroid hormone and sex hormones; imbalances affect bone length.

  • Bone remodeling definition

    Continuous process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone deposition by osteoblasts to maintain bone strength and mineral homeostasis.

  • Bone resorption and deposition

    Resorption: osteoclasts break down bone; deposition: osteoblasts build new bone matrix.

  • Two control loops regulating bone remodeling

    Negative feedback loop for calcium homeostasis and mechanical stress response that strengthens bone where needed.

  • Hormonal control of bone remodeling

    Parathyroid hormone increases blood calcium by stimulating resorption; calcitonin lowers blood calcium by inhibiting resorption.

  • Characteristics and causes of osteoporosis

    Bone mass loss leading to fragility; caused by hormonal changes, age, poor diet, inactivity; risk factors include age, gender, and lifestyle.

  • Age of peak bone density

    Bone density peaks around age 30.

  • Definition of ossification

    Process of bone tissue formation.

  • Age and fate of epiphyseal plate

    Closes around 18-21 years, becoming the epiphyseal line.

  • Classification of fractures

    Classified by position, completeness, orientation, and skin penetration.

  • Steps of fracture repair

    Hematoma formation, fibrocartilaginous callus formation, bony callus formation, and bone remodeling.

  • Axial skeleton components and bone count

    Includes skull, vertebral column, and rib cage; totals 80 bones.

  • Functions of the axial skeleton

    Supports and protects brain, spinal cord, and organs; provides attachment for muscles.

  • Functions of the skull

    Protects brain, supports sensory organs, and provides attachment for muscles.

  • Function and bone count of cranium and facial bones

    Cranium: protects brain, 8 bones; facial bones: form face structure, 14 bones.

  • Function of paranasal sinuses

    Lighten skull, produce mucus, and enhance voice resonance.

  • Keystone bone of the cranium

    Sphenoid bone because it articulates with all other cranial bones.

  • Unique feature of the hyoid bone

    Does not articulate with any other bone; supports the tongue.

  • Largest and strongest facial bone

    Mandible.

  • Keystone bone of the facial bones

    Maxilla because it articulates with all other facial bones except mandible.

  • Definition of sutures and exception

    Immovable joints between skull bones; mandible is not united by sutures.

  • Regions and vertebrae count of vertebral column

    Cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacrum (5 fused), coccyx (4 fused).

  • Spinal region with greatest movement

    Cervical region.

  • Functions of intervertebral discs

    Absorb shock and allow flexibility between vertebrae.

  • Causes of herniated disc

    Disc nucleus protrudes through annulus fibrosus due to injury or degeneration.

  • Differences between infant and adult vertebral column

    Infants have a single C-shaped curve; adults have S-shaped curves for balance.

  • Bones of the appendicular skeleton and count

    Includes limbs and girdles; totals 126 bones.

  • Functions of the appendicular skeleton

    Facilitates movement and supports limbs.

  • Bones of the pectoral girdle

    Clavicle and scapula.

  • Bones of the upper limb

    Humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges.

  • Bones of the pelvic girdle

    Two hip bones (each made of ilium, ischium, pubis).

  • Bones of the lower limb

    Femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges.

  • Weight-bearing bones of leg and foot

    Tibia and talus.

  • Largest and strongest bone in the body

    Femur.

  • Functional classifications of joints

    Synarthrosis (immovable), amphiarthrosis (slightly movable), diarthrosis (freely movable).

  • Structural classifications of joints

    Fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints.

  • General structure of fibrous joints

    Bones joined by dense fibrous connective tissue; mostly immovable.

  • Types of fibrous joints and movement

    Sutures (immovable), syndesmoses (slightly movable), gomphoses (immovable).

  • General structure of cartilaginous joints

    Bones joined by cartilage; allow limited movement.

  • Types of cartilaginous joints and examples

    Synchondroses (hyaline cartilage, immovable, e.g. epiphyseal plate), symphyses (fibrocartilage, slightly movable, e.g. intervertebral discs).

  • Distinguishing features of synovial joints

    Articular cartilage, synovial cavity, synovial fluid, joint capsule, ligaments.

  • Function and composition of synovial fluid

    Lubricates and nourishes cartilage; viscous fluid rich in hyaluronic acid.

  • Definition of bursae

    Fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between tendons and bones or skin.

  • Definition of tendon sheaths

    Elongated bursae that wrap around tendons to reduce friction.

  • Factors influencing synovial joint stability

    Articular surface shape, ligament number and location, muscle tone.

  • Function and composition of articular cartilage

    Hyaline cartilage covering bone ends; reduces friction and absorbs shock.

  • Functional classifications of fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints

    Fibrous: mostly synarthrosis; cartilaginous: synarthrosis or amphiarthrosis; synovial: diarthrosis.

  • Menisci function and composition

    Fibrocartilage pads that improve fit and absorb shock in synovial joints.

  • Types of synovial joint movements

    Gliding, angular, rotation, special movements like supination and opposition.

  • Six types of synovial joints and examples

    Plane (wrist), hinge (elbow), pivot (atlas-axis), condylar (knuckle), saddle (thumb), ball-and-socket (shoulder).

  • Definition of sprain and dislocation

    Sprain: ligament injury; dislocation: bone displacement from joint.

  • Symptoms and causes of osteoarthritis

    Joint pain and stiffness due to cartilage wear; caused by aging and joint overuse.

  • Symptoms and causes of rheumatoid arthritis

    Autoimmune inflammation causing joint pain and deformity.

  • Symptoms and causes of gout

    Uric acid crystal buildup causing joint inflammation and pain.

  • Symptoms and causes of Lyme disease

    Bacterial infection from tick bite causing joint pain and inflammation.