Musculoskeletal Module

Introduction

Welcome to the musculoskeletal module!

This module presents an introduction to the skeletal system itself, concentrating on its two

main parts; the central “anchor” of the axial skeleton and the peripheral limbs of the

appendicular skeleton. You will learn about joints that make the skeleton potentially

movable, and bones that provide a basic system of levers. The delivery force, the power

behind movement is muscle tissue.

This module include mainly the gross anatomy of the upper and lower limbs including

bones, muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, and joints. You will have fair length of time for

dissection of the upper limb and lower limbs in groups. Please make every effort to do so

as this would enable you to understand the three dimensional structure of the relevant

area.

We have endeavored to make this module as interesting as possible utilizing the IT,

clinical skills and Language lab and depicting examples with real life situations.

The staff of the department of Anatomy will be ever willing to assist you for any problem

which you may come across during this module. Please do not hesitate to clarify any

doubts with them.

Relevant books and their chapters have been included in your handout. Please peruse

through them so that it would give you the theoretical knowledge required to supplement

the lectures and the practicals.

We have included some aspects of relevant clinical and applied anatomy to give you a

taste of some clinical applications which you would encounter in your future years.

Kind regards,

Module Committee

Dr. P. H. Dissanayake(Chairperson, Department of Anatomy)

Dr. Hasitha Dissanayake(Convener , Department of Anatomy)

Dr. M.R.P.H Liyanage

Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe

Dr. Chandana Hewage

Prof. S. Suresh

Phase 01 module.

Musculoskeletal system.

Objectives

At the end of the

course students

must be able to

Broad content area Learning strategy Learning materials Duration Department

Describe the

Skeletal

connective tissue.

Bone as a tissue

Macroscopic structure.

Microscopic structure.

(cells & matrix)

Microscopic

organization of bone.

Blood vessels & nerves

of the bone.

Formation of bone.

Further development &

remodeling of bone

(response of bone to

injury). A

Structure of Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage

Fibro cartilage

Elastic cartilage A

Histology Lecture

Histology

practical.

Wheater’s functional

histology (6th

edition) chapter 10.

1 hours

3 hours

Anatomy

Anatomy

Describe the

Arthrology

Main varieties of joints.

Synovial joints.

Cartilaginous joints.

Fibrous joints A

Lecture. Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) general

introduction.

1hour Anatomy

Describe the Axial

skeleton

Vertebral column

General features of the

vertebrae

Joints of the vertebral

bodies and archers.

Cervical vertebrae.

Craniovertebral joints.

Thoracic vertebrae.

Lumbar vertebrae.

Sacrum.

Lumbo sacral joints.

Coccyx.

Vertebral column as a

whole.

Primary and secondary

curvatures of the

vertebral column. A

Skeletal connective tissue,

Arthrology.

Vertebral column.

Appendicular skeleton of the UL

A

Lecture

Model room

demonstration.

AVP

SGD

Last’s anatomy (12th

edition) chapter 06

part 18 & 19.

1 hours

1 ½ hour

½ hour

2 hours

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy.

Describe the

development of the

upper & lower

limb.

Development of upper and lower

limb buds. A

Lecture. Langman’s medical

embryology (14th

edition) chapter 12

1 hour Anatomy.

Describe the

Appendicular

skeleton.

Upper limb.

Scapula.

Clavicle.

Humerus.

Radius and ulnar.

Wrist and hand.

Carpus.

Model room

demonstrations.

AVP

Last’s anatomy (12th

edition ) chapter 02

Part 12

1 ½

hours

½ hour

Anatomy

Anatomy

Metacarpus.

Phalanges of the hand A

Describe the

Lower limb.

Pelvis.

Femur.

Tibia fibula and patella.

Foot.

Tarsals.

Metatarsals.

Phalanges.

Comparison of the bones of hand

and foot. A

Self study

Model room

demonstrations.

AVP

Last’s anatomy(12th

edition )chapter 03

Part 14

1 hour

2 hours

1 hour

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Describe the

Skeletal muscles.

Microscopic structure of the

skeletal muscle A

Recall. Wheater’s functional

histology (6th

edition) chapter 06.

Anatomy

Describe the

muscles of the

back.

Deep muscles of the back, their

action.

A

Dissection

3 hours Anatomy

Describe the

Axilla.

Axilla.

Boundaries.

Contents.

Lymphatic drainage.

Applied anatomy. A

Lectures

Dissection

A.V presentation

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition)

The pectoral region

& axilla.

Clinical anatomy

(Harold Ellis, 13th

edition) part 03.

1 hour

7 hours

½ hour

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Describe the nerve

supply of the upper

limb.

Comparison of the dermatomes &

deep tendon reflexes of the upper

limb & lower limb A

Brachial plexus and the main

Skills lab practical

Lecture

Gray’s anatomy

(41st edition) Section

06

3 hours

1 hour.

Anatomy

Anatomy

nerves arising from it (Axillary,

median, ulnar, radial and

musculocutaneous nerves).

Brachial plexus injuries. A

Course of the Axillary, median,

ulnar, radial and musculocutaneous

nerves.

Effects of their injuries. A

The shoulder joint, axilla, &

brachial plexus, blood supply,

lymphatic drainage of the upper

limb. A

Model room

demonstration.

Lecture

SGD

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) pectoral

region & axilla.

Clinical anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition )part 03.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition).the

shoulder, the arm,

the fore arm & hand.

Clinical anatomy

(Harold Ellis 10th

edition) part 03.

2 hours.

1 hours

2 hours

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy.

Describe the blood

supply and lymph

drainage of the

upper limb.

Arterial supply of the upper limb

(Axillary, Brachial, Radial and

Ulnar arteries.)

Venous drainage of upper limb.

Lymph drainage of the upper limb. A

Lectures Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition).the pectoral

region & axilla, the

free upper limb, the

arm, the forearm &

hand.

2 hours Anatomy

Describe the

muscles of the

upper limb, their

action and nerve

supply.

Muscles connecting the upper limb

with vertebral column and thoracic

wall.

Muscles of the scapula. A

Dissection

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition).the pectoral

region & axilla, the

dissection of the

9 hours

Anatomy

Free upper limb A

Muscles of the upper arm. A

Shoulder joint.

Articular surfaces.

Ligaments of the joint.

Bursae related to the

joint.

Relations.

Blood supply and nerve

supply.

Stability.

Movements at the

shoulder joint.

Applied anatomy. A

Movements of the pectoral girdle. A

Dissection.

AVP

Dissection.

Lecture

Prosected

Specimen

Demonstration

AVP

Lecture.

Skills lab

back

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) The free

upper limb

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) the arm.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) the

shoulder.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition) part 03.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) the

shoulder.

2 hours

½ hour

7 hours

1 hour

1 hour

½ hour

1 hours

3 hours.

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy.

Anatomy

Joints of the upper limb, cubital

fossa, muscles of the forearm and

hand. A

Muscles of the forearm. A

Sterno clavicular joint. A

Acromioclavicular joint. A

Elbow joint.

Articular surfaces.

Ligaments.

Relations.

Movements.

Applied anatomy. A

Radioulnar joints.

Articular surfaces.

Ligaments.

Articular disk of

inferior Radioulnar

joint.

Interosseous

membrane.

Supination and

pronation. A

SGD

Lecture

Dissection.

AVP

Lecture

Prosected

specimen

demonstration

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) the forearm

& hand.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) the pectoral

region & axilla, the

shoulder.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(15th

edition) the joints of

the upper limb.

2 hours

½ hour

10 hours

½ hour

1 hour

2 hours

Anatomy.

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Radio carpel joint.

Articular surfaces.

Ligaments.

Relations.

Movements. A

Carpometacarpal joint of the

thumb.

Articular surfaces.

Ligaments.

Relations.

Movements. B

2nd to 5th Carpometacarpal joints.

B Metacarpophalangial joints.

Ligaments.

Movements and

muscles producing

them. B

Interphalangial joints.

Ligaments.

Movements and

muscles producing

them. B

Cubital fossa.

Boundaries.

Roof.

Floor.

Contents A

Lecture

.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) forearm and

hand.

Cunningham’s

½ hour

1 hour

Anatomy

Anatomy

Small muscles of the hand ( thenar,

hypothenar, lumbricals and

interossei muscles).

Finger movements. A

Clinically significant structures of

the hand & applied anatomy. A

Imaging anatomy of the upper limb

A

Lecture

Dissection

Prosected

specimen

demonstration

Lecture

Lecture

Model room

demonstration

volume 01(16th

edition) forearm and

hand.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition) part 03

5 hours

2 hours

1 hour

1 hour

2 hours

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Muscles of the

lower limb, their

action nerve

supply.

Introduction to lower limb A

Muscles of the iliac region.

Muscles of the Gluteal region and

thigh. Femoral triangle and

adductor canal. A

Hip joint.

Articular surfaces.

Ligaments.

Relations.

Blood supply and nerve

supply.

Movements.

Applied anatomy

(Femoral neck fractures

with regard to the blood

supply of the head of

Lecture

Dissection.

Lecture

Prosected

specimen

demonstration

Lecture

Dissection.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) the hip and

thigh, the Gluteal

region.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) The hip

joint.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition) part 04.

1 hour

25 hours

½ hour

1 hour

½ hour

3 hours

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

the femur). A

Muscles of the leg. A

Fascial compartments and its

clinical relevance. A

Knee joint.

Articular surfaces.

Ligaments.

Fibrous capsule.

Menisci.

Synovial membrane.

Bursae around the

knee.

Relations.

Blood & nerve supply.

Movements.

Locking and unlocking

mechanism.

Applied anatomy.

A .

Popliteal fossa

Boundaries.

Roof.

Floor.

Dissection.

AVP

Lecture

Lecture

Prosected

specimen

demonstration

Knee joint

examination

Lecture

AVP

Dissection

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) The hip and

thigh, The leg and

foot.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition) part 04

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) The joint of

the lower limb.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition) part 04.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) The

popliteal fossa.

8 hours

½ hour

1 hour

1 hour

1 hour

3 hours

1 hour

½ hour

5 hours

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy.

Anatomy

Anatomy

Contents (Popliteal

artery, Popliteal vein,

Tibial nerve &

common peroneal

nerve). A

Bones of the lower limb & muscles

of the lower limb, hip joint. A

Tibiofibular articulation.

Ankle joint.

Articular surfaces.

Ligaments.

Relations.

Movements and

muscles producing the

movements.

Blood supply and nerve

supply.

Applied anatomy. A

Hip, knee and ankle joint A

Popliteal fossa, knee joint & nerve

supply of the lower limb. A

Muscles of the foot.

SGD

Lecture

Prosected

specimen

demonstration

Fixed learning

module

SGD

Dissection

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) The joints

of the lower limb.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition) part 04.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition)joints of the

lower limb.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) The leg and

2 hours

1 hours

1 hours

1 hour

1 hour

2 hours

3 hours

Anatomy.

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Intrinsic muscles of the foot.

Joints of the foot.

Subtalar joint.

Talocalcaneonavicular

joint.

Calcaneocuboid joint.

Transverse tarsal joints.

Smaller joints of the

foot.

Metatarsophalangeal &

interphalangeal joints.

Movements of the foot.

B

Foot archers.

Classification of

archers.

Structure of archers.

Factors responsible for

the maintenance of

archers.

Function of archers.

Applied anatomy.

Standing, walking and running. A

Lecture.

.

foot.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition) part 04.

1 hour

Anatomy.

Describe the blood

and nerve supply

of the lower limb.

Arterial supply of the lower limb,

their origin and distribution.

Venous drainage of the lower limb.

Anatomical basis for the formation

of varicose veins.

Lymphatic drainage of the lower

limb.

A

Lecture

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) The hip and

thigh, The popliteal

fossa, The leg and

foot.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

1 hour

Anatomy

Origin and cause of the main

nerves that supply the lower limb.

A

Applied anatomy of the lower limb

A

Comparative anatomy of the upper

and lower limbs A

Question and answer session

A Over view of upper limb and lower

limb A

Imaging anatomy of the lower limb

A

Lecture

Lecture

Student seminar

presentation

Discussion

AVP

Model room

demonstration

edition) part 04.

Cunningham’s

volume 01(16th

edition) The hip and

thigh, The back of

the thigh, The

popliteal fossa, The

leg and foot.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition) part 04.

Applied anatomy

(Harold Ellis 13th

edition) part 04.

1 hour

1 hour

2 hours

2 hours

1 hour

1 hour

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Anatomy

Joints of the lower limb, foot

archers, mechanism of walking,

venous drainage & nerve supply of

the lower limb. A

SGD 2 hours Anatomy

Describe the

calcium

metabolism

Outline the distribution of

Ca 2+ in the body

Explain the role of plasma

Ca 2+ in physiological process

Factors affecting the plasma Ca 2+

level

Explain how these factors regulate

the plasma Ca 2+ level A

Pathophysiology of the following

conditions

Osteomalacia

Rickets

Hyperparathyroidism

Osteoporosis A

Lecture

Lecture

1 hour

1 hour

Physiology

Physiology

Case scenario 01

Femoral neck fracture

Your 65 years old grandmother had fallen 3 days ago .She developed severe pain and selling

in the right hip region. She was admitted to the Colombo south teaching hospital.

After the relevant history, examination and investigations she was diagnosed as having an

intracapsular femoral neck fracture.

Treatment for her condition is Total Hip Replacement surgery.

Your relatives and parents are asking for the explanation for this kind of surgery.

Case scenario 02

Varicose veins

Your aunt who is 45 years old tells you that she is having dilated tortuous vessels in her both

legs, she has first noticed this during her first pregnancy and these vessels are getting more

prominent with time.

She is working as a supervisor in a garment factory.

She is quarrying why she got this condition and what the aggravating factors are.

Case scenario 03

Supracondylar fracture of the humerus

Your younger brother who is 12 years old had fallen from a tree and had developed pain and

swelling just above the left elbow.

He was admitted to the Colombo south teaching hospital.

After the relevant history, the medical officer in charge examined the radial pulse,

movements of the fingers and the sensation.

After interpreting the x ray the doctor diagnosed that your brother has a supracondylar

fracture of the humerus.

Case scenario 04

The Knee joint injury

While your friends were playing foot ball, one of them twisted his knee. He fall down with

severe pain and the knee was locked in a partially flexed position.

He was taken to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.

The Orthopedic Surgeon diagnosed as he is having “Bucket handle type Meniscal tear”.

He had undergone an Arthroscopic surgery. Your friend wants to know what had happen to

him.

Case scenario 05

Crutch palsy

Your next door uncle had a party last night, he had consumed lot of alcohol during the party.

After the party he had slept on a chair with his arm hanging over the back of the chair.

Following morning he was admitted to the Colombo south teaching hospital because he had

inability to extend his hand and grip. Doctors informed the relatives that he is having radial

nerve palsy.

Your neighbours want to know why he got radial nerve palsy and what are the other effects

of that condition.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

GLOSSARY

Abduction (ab-duk’shun) The movement of a body part away from the axis or midline of the

body; movement of a digit away from the axis of the limb.

Acetabulum (as”e-tab’yu-lum) A socket in the lateral surface of the hipbone(os coxa)with

which the head of the femur articulates.

Achilles tendon (a-kil’ez) (see tendo calcaneus)

Actin (ak’tin) A protein in muscle fibers that together with myosine is responsible for

contraction.

Adduction (ad-duk’shun) The movement of a body part toward the axis or midline of the

body; movement of a digit towards the axis of the limb.

Afferent (af’er-ent) Conveying or transmitting to.

Afferent neuron (noor’on) A sensory nerve that transmit an impulse towards the central

nervous system.

Agonist (ag’o-nist) The prime mover muscle, which is directly engaged in the contraction

that produces the desired movement.

All-or –none principle The statement of the fact that muscle fibers of a motor unit contract

to their maximum extent when exposed to a stimulus of threshold strength.

Anatomical position (an”a-tom’i-kal) An erect body stance with the eyes directed forward,

the arms at the sides, the palms of the hands facing anterior, and the fingers pointed straight

down.

Antagonist (an-tag’-o-nist) A muscle that acts in opposition to another muscle.

Anterior (ventral) (an-tir’e-or) Toward the front; the opposite of posterior (dorsal).

Aponeurosis (ap”o-noo-ro’sis) A fibrous or membranous sheet like tendon.

Articular cartilage (ar-tik’yu-lar kar’ti-lij) A hyaline cartilaginous covering over the

articulating surface of bones of synovial joints.

Articulation (ar-tik”yu-la’shun) A joint.

Ball-and-socket joint The most freely movable type of synovial joint (e.g. the shoulder or

hip joint)

Belly The thickest circumference of a skeletal muscle.

Bipennate (bi-pen’at) Denoting muscles that have a fibre architecture coursing obliquely on

both sides of a tendon.

Bone A solid, rigid, ossified connective tissue forming the skeletal system.

Canaliculus (kan"a-lik'yu-lus) A microscopic channel in bone tissue that connects lacunae.

Cancellous bone (kan'se-lus) Spongy bone; bone tissue with a lattice like structure.

Carpus (kar'pus) the proximal portion of the hand that contains the eight carpal bones.

Cartilage (kar'ti-lij) A type of connective tissue with a solid elastic matrix.

Cartilaginous joint (kar"ti-laj'i-nus) A joint that lacks a joint cavity, permitting little

movement between the bones held together by cartilage.

Caudal (kaw'dal) Referring to a position more toward the tail.

Central canal An elongated longitudinal channel in the centre of an osteon in bone tissue

that contains branches of the nutrient vessels and a nerve; also called a haversian canal

Cervical (ser'vi-kal) Pertaining to the neck or a neck like portion of an organ.

Chondrocyte (kon'dro-sit) A cartilage cell.

Circumduction (ser"kum-duk'shun) A movement of a body part that outlines a cone, such

that the distal end moves in a circle while the proximal portion remain relatively stable.

Coccygeal (kok-sij'e-al) Pertaining to the region of the coccyx; the caudal termination of the

vertibral column

Compact (dense) bone tightly packed bone, superficial to spongy bone and covered by the

periosteum.

Condyle (kon'dil) A rounded process at the end of a long bone that forms an articulation.

Costal cartilage (kos'tal) The cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum.

Crest A thickened ridge of bone for the attachment of muscle.

Cubital (kyoo'bi-tal) Pertaining to the elbow.

The cubital fossa is the anterior aspect of the elbow joint.

Diaphysis (di-af'i-sis) The shaft of a long bone.

Diarthrosis (di"ar-thro'sis) A type of functionally classified joint in which the

articulating bones are freely movable; also called a synovial joint.

Diploe (dip'lo-e) The spongy layer of bone positioned between the inner and outer layers of

compact bone.

Distal (dis'tal) Away from the midline or origin; the opposite of proximal.

Dorsal (dor'sal) Pertaining to the back or posterior portion of a body part; the opposite of

ventral.

Dorsiflexion (dor"si-flek'shun) Movement at the ankle or wrist as the dorsum of the foot or

hand is elevated.

Efferent (ef'er-ent) Conveying away from the centre of an organ or structure.

Elastic fibers (e-las'tik) Protein strands found in certain connective tissue that have

contractile properties.

Elbow the synovial joint between the brachium and the antebrachium.

Endochondral bone (en"do-kon'dral) Bones that develop as hyaline cartilage models first

and then are ossified.

Endomysium (en"do-mis'e-um) The connective tissue sheath that surrounds each skeletal

muscle fiber, separating the nerve fibers one from another within a nerve.

Epicondyle (ep"i-kon'dil) A projection of bone above a condyle.

Epidural space (ep"i-door'al) A space between the spinal dura mater and the bone of the

vertebral canal.

Epimysium (ep"i-mis'e-um) A fibrous outer sheath of connective tissue surrounding a

skeletal muscle.

Epiphyseal plate (ep"i-fiz'e-al) A hyaline cartilaginous layer located between the epiphysis

and diaphysis of a long bone. It functions as a longitudinal growing region.

Epiphysis (e-pif'i-sis) The end segment of a long bone ,separated from the diaphysis early

in life by an epiphyseal plate but later becoming part of the larger bone.

Eversion (e-ver'zhun) A movement of the foot in which the sole is turned outward.

Extension (ek-sten'shun) A movement that increases the angle between parts of a joint.

Facet (fas'et) A small, smooth surface of a bone where articulation occurs.

Fascia (fash'e-a) A tough sheet of fibrous tissue binding the skin to underlying muscles

supporting and separating muscles.

Fibroblast (fi-bro-blast) An elongated connective tissue cell with cytoplasmic extensions

that is capable of forming collagenous fibers or elastic fibers.

Fibrous joint (fi'brus) A type of articulation bound by fibrous connective tissue that

allows little or no movement (e.g., a syndesmosis)

Flexion (flek'shun) A movement that decreases the angle between parts of a joint.

Foot The terminal portion of the lower extremity, consisting of the tarsus, metatarsus, and

digits.

Foramen (fo-ra'men) ,pl.foramina An opening in an anatomical structure ,usually in a bone,

for the passage of a blood vessel or a nerve.

Forearm The portion of the upper extremity between the elbow and the wrist.

Fossa (fos'a) A depressed area, usually on a bone.

Gliding joint A type of synovial joint in which the articulation surfaces are flat, permitting

only side- to- side and back-and-forth movement.

Hyaline cartilage (hi'a-lin) A cartilage with a homogenous matrix. It’s the most common

type, occurring at the articular ends of bones, in the trachea, and within the nose. Most of the

bones in the body are formed from hyaline cartilage

Hyperextension (hi"per-ek-sten'shun) Extension beyond the normal anatomical position or

180°.

Insertion The most movable attachment of a muscle, usually more distal.

Intervertebral disk (in"ter-ver'te-bral) A pad of fibrocartilage located between the bodies of

adjacent vertebrae.

Hand The terminal portion of the upper extremity , consisting of the carpus, metacarpus,

and digits.

Haversian canal (ha-ver’shan) (see centra canal)

Haversian system (see osteon)

Hiatus (hi-a’tus) An opening or fissure; a foramen.

Hinge joint A type of synovial articulation characterized by the convex surface of one bone

fitting into the concave surface of another so that movement is confined to one plane, as in

the knee or interphalangeal joint.

Inversion (in-ver’zhun) A movement of the foot in which the sole is turned inward

Joint capsule The fibrous tissue that encloses the joint cavity of a synovial joint.

Knee A region in the lower extremity between the thigh and the leg that contains a synovial

hinge joint.

Lamella (la-mel’a) A concentric ring of matrix surrounding the central canal in an osteon of

mature bone tissue.

Lamellated corpuscle (lam’e-la-ted kor’pus’l) A sensory receptor for pressure, found in

tendons, around joints, and in visceral organs; also called a pacinian corpuscle.

Lamina (lam’i-na) A thin plate of bone that extends superiorly from the body of a vertebra to

form both sides of the arch of a vertebra.

Lateral (lat’er-al) Pertaining to the side ; farther from the median plane.

Leg The portion of the lower extremity between the knee and the ankle.

Ligament (lig’a-ment) A tough cord or fibrous band of connective tissue that binds bone to

bone to strengthen and provide flexibility to a joint . It also may support viscera.

Lumbar (lum’bar) Pertaining to the region of the loins.

Membranous bone (mem’bra-nus) Bone that forms from membranous connective tissue

rather than from cartilage; also called intramembranous bone.

Metacarpus (met”a-kar’pus) the region of the hand between the wrist and the digits,

including the five bones that support the palm of the hand.

Metatarsus (met”a-tar’sus) The region of the foot between the ankle and the digits that

includes five bones

Myosin (mi’o-sin) A thick filament protein that together with actin causes muscle

contraction.

Origin The place of muscle attachment –usually the more stationary point or proximal bone;

opposite the insertion.

Osseous tissue (os’e-us) Bone tissue.

Ossification ( os”i-fi-ka’shun) The process of bone tissue formation .

Osteoblast (os’te-o-blast”) The bone forming cell.

Osteoclast (os’te-o-klast”) A cell that causes erosion and resorption of bone tissue.

Osteocyte (os’te-o-sit”) A mature bone cell.

Osteology (os”te-ol’o—je) The study of the structure and function of bone and the entire

skeleton.

Osteon (os’te-on) A group of osteocytes and concentric lamellae surrounding the basic unit

of structure in osseous tissue; also called a haversian system.

Pedicle (ped’i-k’l) The portion of a vertebra that connects and attaches the lamina to the

body.

Perichondrium (per”i-kon’dre-um) A toughened connective sheet that covers some kinds of

cartilage.

Perimysium (per”i-mis’e-um) Fascia (connective tissue) surrounding a bundle of (fascicle)

of muscle fibers.

Periosteum (per”e-os’te-um) A fibrous connective tissue covering the outer surface of bone.

Pivot joint (piv’ut) A synovial joint in which the rounded head of one bone articulates with

the depressed cup of another to permit a rational type of movement.

Plantar (plan’tar) Pertaining to the sole of the foot.

Posterior (pos-ter’e-or) Towards the back; also called dorsal.

Rotation (ro-ta’shun) The movement of a bone around its own longitudinal axis.

Sacral (sa’kral) Pertaining to the sacrum.

Saddle joint A synovial joint in which the articular surfaces of both bones are concave in one

plane and convex ,or saddle shaped ,in the other plane, such as in the distal carpometacarpal

joint of the thumb.

Sagittal (saj’I-tal) A vertical plane through the body that divides it into right and left sides.

Sarcolemma (sar’’ko-lem-a) The cell membrane of a muscle fiber.

Sarcomere (sar’ko-mer) The portion of a skeletal muscle fiber between the two adjacent Z

lines that is considered the functional unit of a myofibril.

Sarcoplasm the cytoplasm within a muscle fiber.

Sesamoid bone(ses,a-moid) A membranous bone found in a tendon in response to joint

stress(e.g.the patella)

Shoulder The region of the body where the humerus articulates with the scapula; also called

omo

Sinus (si’nus) A cavity or hollow space within a body organ ,such as a bone.

Spongy bone A type of bone that contains many porous spaces ;also called cancellous bone.

Sutural bone A small bone positioned within a suture of certain cranial bone ;also called

wormian bone.

Suture (soo’chur) A type of fibrous joint found between bones of the skull.

Symphysis (sim’fi-sis) A type of cartilaginous joint characterized by a fibrocartilaginous pad

between the articulating bones, which provide slight movement.

Symphysis pubis (pyoo’bis) A slightly movable joint anteriorly located between the pubic

bones of the pelvic girdle.

Synarthrosis (sin”ar-throsis) A fibrous joint, such as a syndesmosis or a suture.

Synchondrosis (sin”kon-dro’sis) A cartilaginous joint in which the articulating bones are

separated by hyaline cartilage.

Syndesmosis (sin”des-mo’sis) A type of fibrous joint in which two bones are united by an

interosseous ligament.

Synergist (sin’er-jist) A muscle that assists the action of the prime mover. Synovial joint A

freely movable joint in which there is a synovial cavity between the articulating bones ;also

called a diarthrotic joint.

Volkmann’s canal (folk’manz) (see perforating canal)

Wormian bone (wer’me-an) (see sutural bone)