Skeletal System

HST III

Spring 2009

The skeletal system:

• Is made up of organs called bones• Provides a framework that supports the

body’s muscles, fat, and skin• Provides protection by surrounding

vital organs• Forms levers where muscles attach to

provide movement• Produces red and white blood cells and

platelets (hemopoiesis or hematopoiesis)

• Stores most of the calcium supply of the body in addition to phosphorus and fats

Long Bones

• Refers to the bones of the arms and legs, or extremities

Parts of Long Bones

• Diaphysis – long shaft• Epiphysis – the extremity or

end• Medullary canal – cavity

within the diaphysis, • Yellow marrow – fills the

medullary cavity; storage area for fat cells; contains cells that form leukocytes or white blood cells

Parts of Long Bones• Endosteum – membrane that

lines the medullary canal and keeps the yellow marrow intact; produces some bone growth

• Red marrow – found in certain bones, such as the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, cranium, and the proximal ends of the humerus and femur; produces erythrocytes (red blood cells), thrombocytes (platelets), and some leukocytes (white blood cells).

Red Marrow

• Because it is important in the manufacturing of blood cells, and is involved with the body’s immune response, it is used to diagnose blood diseases (ex. leukemia), and is sometimes transplanted in people with defective immune systems.

Parts of Long Bones

• Periosteum – tough membrane that covers the outside of bone; contains blood vessels, lymph vessels, and osteoblasts (special cells that form new bone tissue); necessary for bone growth, repair and nutrition

• Articular cartilage – covers the epiphysis and acts as a shock absorber when two bones meet to form a joint

The Skeletal System is divided into two sections:

1. Axial skeleton – forms the main trunk of the body and is composed of the skull, spinal column, ribs, and breastbone

2. Appendicular skeleton – forms the extremities and is composed of the shoulder girdle, arm bones, pelvic girdle, and leg bones

The Skull:

• Composed of the cranial and facial bones

• Spherical structure that surrounds and protects the brain

The Skull:• Made of eight bones

1. Frontal (1)

2. Parietal (2)

3. Temporal (2)

4. Occipital (1)

5. Ethmoid (1)

6. Sphenoid (1)

Fontanels

• Soft spaces (soft spots), present at birth, that allow for the enlargement of the skull as brain growth occurs

• Made up of membrane and cartilage, and turn into solid bone by approximately 18 months of age.

There are 14 Facial Bones

• Mandible (lower jaw); (1)• Maxilla (upper jaw); (2)• Zygomatic (cheek); (2)• Lacrimal (inner aspect of eyes); (2)• Nasal (5)• Palantine (hard palate or roof of mouth); (2)

Sutures

• Are areas where the cranial bones have joined together

Sinuses

• Air spaces in bones of the skull that act as resonating chambers for the voice; lined with mucous membranes

Foramina

• Openings in bones that allow nerves and blood vessels to enter or leave the bone

Vertebrae

• Compose the spinal column (26-vertebrae)

• Protects the spinal cord and provides support for the head and trunk

• Divided into 5 sections: 1) cervical, 2) thoracic, 3) lumbar, 4) sacral, and 5) coccyx

Vertebrae• Cervical (neck);

(7)• Thoracic

(chest); (12)• Lumbar (waist);

(5)• Sacrum (back

of pelvic girdle); (1)

• Coccyx (tailbone); (1)

Intervertebral Disks

• Pads of cartilage tissue that separate the vertebrae

• Act as shock absorbers and permit bending and twisting movements of the vertebral column

Ribs (Costae)• 12 pairs of ribs• Attach to the thoracic vertebrae on the

dorsal surface of the body• The first 7 pairs are called true ribs

because they attach directly to the sternum, or breastbone, on the front of the body

• The next 5 pair are called false ribs, and attach to cartilage extending from the rib above

• The last 2 pairs of ribs are called floating ribs because they have no attachment on the front of the body

Sternum

• Breastbone• Consist of 3 parts: 1) Manubrium

( upper region), 2) Gladiolus (body), and the Xiphoid process (a small piece of cartilage at the bottom)

Two collarbones, or clavicles are attached to the manubrium by ligaments. The ribs are attached to the sternum with costal cartilages to form a “cage” that protects the heart an lungs.

The Pectoral (Shoulder) Girdle

Is made up of:• 2 clavicles (collarbones) and 2

scapulas (shoulder bones)• The scapula is utilized in the

attachment of the upper arm bones

Bones of each arm include:

• 1 humerus (upper arm)• 1 radius (lower arm on thumb side) that

rotates around the ulna to allow the hand to turn freely

• 1 ulna (larger bone of lower arm)with a projection called the olecranon process at its upper end, forming the elbow

Bones of each arm include:

• 8 carpals (wrist)• 5 metacarpals (palm of hand)• 14 phalanges (three on each

finger, and two on the thumb)

The Pelvic Girdle is:

• Made up of 2 os coxae (coxal, or hip bones)

• Join the sacrum on the dorsal part of the body

• Fuse together a joint called the symphysis pubis on the ventral part of the body

Pelvic Girdle

• Each coxae is made up of 3 fused sections: 1) ilium, 2) ischium, and 3) the pubis

• Contains 2 recessed areas or sockets called acetabula, which provide for the attachment of the smooth rounded head of the femur (upper leg bone)

Pelvic Girdle

• An opening between the ischium and pubis, called the obturator foramen, allows for the passage of nerves and blood vessels to and from the legs

Each leg consists of:

• 1 femur (thigh bone)• 1 patella (kneecap)• 1 tibia (larger weight bearing bone of

the lower leg; shin bone)• 1 fibula (slender, smaller bone of the

lower leg that attaches to the proximal end of the tibia

Each leg consists of:

• 7 tarsals (ankle bones)• 5 metatarsals (instep of foot)• 14 phalanges (2 on the great toe and 3

on each of the other 4 toes)• The heel is formed by the large tarsal

bone called the calcaneous

Joints

• Areas where two or more bones join together

• Connective tissue bands, called ligaments, help hold long bones together at joints

• There are 3 main types of joints: 1) Diarthrosis or synovial, 2) Amphiarthrosis, and 3) Synarthrosis

Diarthrosis or Synovial Joints

• Freely movable• Examples include the ball

and socket joints of the shoulder, hip, or the hinge joints of the elbow and knee

Amphiarthrosis Joints

• Slightly movable• Examples include the

attachment of the ribs to the thoracic vertebrae and the symphysis pubis

Synarthrosis Joints

• Immovable• Examples include the suture

joints in the cranium

Diseases and Abnormal Conditions

Arthritis

• A group of diseases involving inflammation of the joints

• 2 main types: 1) Osteoarthritis and 2) Rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis

• The most common form of arthritis

• Chronic disease• Usually occurs as a result of

aging• Frequently affects the hips and

knees

Rheumatoid Arthritis• Chronic inflammatory disease• Affects the connective tissues and

joints• 3 times more common in women than

in men• Onset often occurs between ages 35-45 • Progressive attacks can cause scar

formation and atrophy of bone and muscle tissue which result in permanent deformity and immobility

Bursitis

• Inflammation of the bursae, which are small, fluid-filled sacs surrounding the joints

• Frequently affects the shoulders, elbows, hips, or knees

Fracture

• Is a crack or break in a bone• There are 8 types of bone

fractures

Greenstick Fracture

• The bone is bent and splits• Causes a crack or incomplete

break• Common in children

Simple or Closed Fracture

• Complete break of the bone with no damage to the skin

Compound or Open Fracture

• Bone breaks and ruptures through the skin

• Increased chance of infection

Impacted Fracture

• Broken bone ends jam into each other

Comminuted Fracture

• Bone fragments or splinters into more than two pieces

Spiral Fracture

• Bone twist, resulting in one or more breaks

• Common in skiing and skating accidents

Depressed Fracture

• A broken piece of skull bone moves inward;

• Common in severe head injuries

Colles Fracture

• Breaking and dislocation of the distal radius that causes a characteristic bulge at the wrist

• Caused by falling on an outstretched hand

Before a fracture can heal, the bone must be put back into its proper alignment. This process is called reduction.

Closed Reduction

• Positioning the bone in correct alignment, usually with traction, and applying a cast or splint to maintain the position until the fracture heals

Open Reduction

• Involves surgical repair of the bone• In some cases special pins, plates, or

other devices are surgically implanted to maintain correct position of the bone

Dislocation

• When a bone is forcibly displaced from a joint

• Frequently occurs in the shoulders, fingers, knees, and hips

• After the dislocation is reduced, or replaced back in the joint, it is immobilized with a splint, a cast, or traction

Sprain

• When a twisting action tears ligaments at a joint

• Wrist and ankles are common sites

Osteomyelitis

• A bone inflammation usually caused by a pathogenic organism

• Causes the formation of an abscess within the bone and an accumulation of pus in the medullary canal

Osteoporosis

• Increased softening of the bones causes the bones to become weak, soft, brittle, and prone to fracture

Caused by:• Metabolic disorder caused by hormone

deficiency • Prolonged lack of calcium in diet• Sedentary lifestyle

Ruptured Disk

• Also called herniated or slipped disk• Occurs when an intervertebral disk

ruptures or protrudes out of place and causes pressure on the spinal nerve

Spinal Curvatures• 3 forms• Caused by poor posture,

congenital/birth defects, structural defects of the vertebrae, malnutrition, and degeneration of the vertebrae

• Therapeutic exercises, firm mattresses, and/or braces are the main forms of treatment

• Severe deformities may require surgical repair

Kyphosis

• Hunchback• Rounded bowing of the back at

the thoracic area

Scoliosis

• Side-to-side, or lateral, curvature of the spine

Lordosis

• Swayback• Abnormal inward curvature of the

lumbar region

Pharmacology

Complete a Medication Worksheet for the following drugs:

• Tylenol• Motrin• Ben-Gay• Icy Hot

• Capsaicin• Counterirritants• Salicylates

Related Health Careers

Related Health Careers

• Athletic trainer• Chiropractor• Orthopedist• Orthoptist• Osteopathic

Physician• Radiologist

• Physical Therapist

• Podiatrist• Prosthetist• Radiologic

Technologist• Sports Medicine

Physician

Medical Terminology

Root Words: Cheir(o), Chir(o) denotes the hands

• Cheirarthritis – inflammation of the joint and of the hands

• Cheirobrachialgia – pain of the arm and of the hands

• Cheiroplasty – surgical repair of the hands

• Cheirospasm – involuntary contraction of the hands

• Cheiromegaly – enlargement of the hands

Root Word: Oste(o)denotes the bone

• Osteofibroma – swelling or tumor of the fibrous tissue of the bone

• Osteogenesis – condition of production/creation of the bone

• Osteoclasis – fracture of the bone• Osteomalacia – abnormal

softening of the bone• Osteoitis – inflammation of the

bone

Root Word: Syndesm(o) denotes ligament

• Syndesmorraphy – to suture the ligament

• Syndesmopexy – fixing or fstening of the ligament

• Syndesmoma – swelling/tumor of the ligament

• Syndesmoplasty – surgical repair of the ligament

• Syndesmotomy – surgical incision of the ligament

Root Word: Athr(o) denotes joint

• Arthralgia – pain of the joint• Arthritis – inflammation of the

joint• Arthrocentesis – surgical

puncture of the joint• Arthrodesis – binding together of

the joint• Arthrosynovitis – inflammation of

the synovial membrane of the joint

Root Word: Spondyl(o) denotes vertebrae

• Spondylitis – inflammation of the vertebra

• Spondylolisthesis – condition of the vertebra where

• Spondylotherapy – treatment of the vertebra

• Spondylotomy – incision into a vertebra or the vertebral column

• Spondylalgia – pain of the vertebra

Root Word: Ten(o), Tenorit(o), Tend(o) denotes tendons

• Tendoplasty – surgical repair of the tendons

• Tenonectomy – surgical removal of the tendon

• Tendodynia – pain of the tendon• Tenosynovitis – inflammation of

the synovial membrane of the tendon

• Tenodesis – binding together of the tendon

Root Word: Chondr(o) denotes cartilage

• Chondrodysplasia – defective formation of the cartilage

• Chondroma – swelling or tumor of the cartilage

• Chondrolysis – destruction/breaking down of cartilage

• Chondritis – inflammation of the cartilage

• Chondropathy – disease of the cartilage

Root Word: Myo(o) denotes the muscle

• Myasthenia – muscle without strength

• Myocardial – pertaining to the myocardium

• Myokinesis – movement of the muscle

• Myodynia – pain of the muscle• Myomalacia – abnormal softening

of the muscle

Root Word: Crani(o) denotes the cranium or skull

• Craniectomy – surgical removal of the skull or cranium

• Craniomalacia – softening of the skull or cranium

• Craniotomy – surgical incision of the skull or cranium

• Cranioplasty – surgical repair of the skull or cranium

• Cranispinal – pertaining to the vertebrae and skull or cranium

Root Word: Ili(o) denotes the superior portion of the hip bone or flank area

• Iliocostal – connecting/pertaining to the ilium or the ribs

• Iliac – pertaining to the superior portion of the hip bone

• Iliosacral – pertaining to the sacrum and the superior portion of the hip bone

• Iliopelvic – pertaining to the pelvis and the superior portion of the hip bone

• Iliolumbar – pertaining to the lumbar vertebrae and the superior portion of the hip bone.

Letter “C” Abbreviations

• C° - Degrees Celsius• C & S – Culture and Sensitivity• Ca – Calcium• CA – Cancer• ca – Calorie• Cap – Capsule• Cath – Catheter• CBC – Complete Blood Count• CBR – Complete Bed Rest• CC – Chief Complaint• CCU – Coronary Care Unit or

Critical Care Unit

• CDA – Certified Dental Assistant• CDC – Centers for Disease

Control• CEO – Chief Executive Officer• CHD – Coronary Heart Disease• CHF – Congestive Heart Failure• CHO – Carbohydrate• Chol – Cholesterol• CICU – Cardiac Intensive Care

Unit• Ck – Check• Cl – Chloride or Chlorine

• Cl liq – Clear liquids• CNS – Central Nervous System• C/O – Complains Of• CO – Carbon Monoxide• CO2 – Carbon Dioxide• Cont – Continued• COPD – Chronic Obstructive

Pulmonary Disease• CP – Cerepral Palsy• CPR – Cardiopulmonary

Resucitation

• CRTT – Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician

• CSF – Cerebral Spinal Fluid• CVA – Cerebral Vascular Accident

(Stroke)• Cx – Cervix; Complications

Questions?