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Anatomy & Physiology: Skeletal System Fundamentals

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Terms in this set (22)

  • Subdivisions of the skeleton
    The skeleton is divided into the axial skeleton (skull, vertebral column, rib cage) and the appendicular skeleton (limbs and girdles).
  • Functions of the skeletal system
    The skeletal system provides support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production, and energy storage.
  • Four main classifications of bones
    Bones are classified as long, short, flat, and irregular based on their shape.
  • Major anatomical areas of a long bone
    A long bone includes the diaphysis (shaft), epiphyses (ends), metaphysis (growth region), and medullary cavity (marrow space).
  • Microscopic structure of compact bone
    Compact bone is made of osteons or Haversian systems, which contain concentric lamellae around a central canal with blood vessels.
  • Role of bone salts and organic matrix
    Bone salts (calcium phosphate) provide hardness, while the organic matrix (collagen fibers) provides flexibility and tensile strength.
  • Bone formation in the fetus
    Bone forms by intramembranous and endochondral ossification, starting as cartilage or membrane and gradually replaced by bone.
  • Bone remodeling throughout life
    Bone is continuously remodeled by osteoclasts (resorption) and osteoblasts (formation) to maintain strength and mineral balance.
  • Types of bone fractures
    Common fractures include simple, compound, greenstick, comminuted, and spiral fractures.
  • Bones of the skull and major sutures
    The skull includes the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones; major sutures are coronal, sagittal, lambdoid, and squamous.
  • Parts of a typical vertebra
    A vertebra has a body, vertebral arch, spinous process, transverse processes, and vertebral foramen.
  • Differences among cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae
    Cervical vertebrae are small with transverse foramina; thoracic have facets for ribs; lumbar are large and robust for weight bearing.
  • Importance of intervertebral discs and spinal curvatures
    Intervertebral discs cushion vertebrae; spinal curvatures (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral) provide balance and shock absorption.
  • Abnormal spinal curvatures
    Scoliosis is lateral curvature, lordosis is excessive inward lumbar curve, and kyphosis is excessive outward thoracic curve.
  • Components of the thoracic cage
    The thoracic cage consists of the thoracic vertebrae, ribs, and sternum.
  • Difference between true ribs and false ribs
    True ribs attach directly to the sternum; false ribs attach indirectly or not at all (floating ribs).
  • Bones of the shoulder and pelvic girdles
    The shoulder girdle includes the clavicle and scapula; the pelvic girdle includes the ilium, ischium, and pubis.
  • Differences between male and female pelvis
    Female pelvis is wider, shallower, with a larger pelvic inlet and outlet for childbirth; male pelvis is narrower and taller.
  • Three major structural categories of joints
    Fibrous (immovable), cartilaginous (slightly movable), and synovial (freely movable) joints.
  • Skeletal development changes from fetus to adult
    Skeleton changes from mostly cartilage in fetus to ossified bone in adults, with growth plates active during youth.
  • Causes of bone and joint problems
    Problems can arise from injury, infection, arthritis, osteoporosis, and nutritional deficiencies.
  • Differences in newborn skull and function of fontanels
    Newborn skull bones are not fused; fontanels are soft spots allowing brain growth and easier passage through birth canal.