Locomotor Flashcards
(126 cards)
What is comorbidity?
comorbidity is the presence of one or more additional conditions often co-occuring with a primary condition
What are the 3 parts of long bone?
metaphysics (head of the bone), epiphysis (growth plate) and diaphysis
What are chondrocytes?
They are the only cells found in healthy cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of collagen and proteoglycans.
exclusively responsible for synthesis/breakdown of ECM components. Can synthesis. the full range of ECM proteins and can synthesis cartilage-specific ECM components such as collagen type II.
What happens in growth plates?
Areas of cartilage where growth takes place. Chondrocytes undergo dramatic growth and then die, leaving behind the basis of bone.
What are harris lines?
Also known as growth arrest lines- regions of increases bone density.
represents the position of the growth plate at time it was slowed down- possibly due to injury or malnutrition or possibly due to growth spurts

What is a recent technique used to fix leg length discrepancy in young aged patients?
The ‘8th plate’ is used, a high quality steel implant applied to leg growing too fast- letting the other catch up.
What is osteoporosis and what is the most common type?
Porous bones that are fragile to low impact trauma.
Most common type of OP is vertebral compression fractures
Symptoms of this are back pain and kyphosis (curvature of the spine)
What are the 3 types of connective tissue?
Connective tissue proper- loose and dense
Fluid connective tissues- blood and lymth
Supporting connective tissue- cartilage and bpne
What are the 3 types of cartilage?
hyaline cartilage, fibro-cartilage and elastic cartilage.
What is cartilage ECM made of?
Made of fibres, eg collagen, complex interstitial fluid and filling material known as proteoglycans.
What are the resident cells in cartilage, connective tissue and tendons?
chondrocytes in cartilage
fibroblasts in most CT
tenocytes (fibroblast-like) in tendons.
What are the basic functions of osteoclasts, osteoblasts and osteocytes?
OSTEOBLASTS= build new bone
OSTEOCLASTS= remove old bone
OSTEOCYTES= maintains bone matrix/ assists bone repair
How are the chrondrocytes arranged in collagen type 1 and type 2?
Type 1- rope like structure
Type 2- basket weave
What are fibroblasts and fibrocytes?
Two types of the same cell- fibroblasts are active, fibrocytes less active
They are connective tissue cells characterised by abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and resposible for synthesis of fibrous matrix proteins particularly collagens.
Tissue damage stimulates fibrocytes to become fibroblasts
What are proteoglycans?
also called ground substance, unstructured material composed of negatively charged glycosaminoglycans which attract cations and swell and resist compressive forces.
What does the ‘modes of failure’ graphs look like for failure rate, wear and tare and random.

What occurs in red and yellow bone marrow?
Red bone marrow is where the production of blood cells takes place, a process known as haematopoiesis.
Yellow bone marrow contains adipose tissue, and the triglycerides stored in the adipocytes of this tissue can be released to serve as a source of energy for other tissues of the body.
What are the functions of bone?
Metabolism, producing RBC, structural, protective, facilitating respiration, storing of adipose tissue, and there are highly specialised bones, such as the bones in the middle ear as well.
Why and how have humans adapted to bipedalism?
- Freed the upper limb for other functions
- Enlarged hip and knee joints to cope with increased forces
- The foot has evolved to support entire body weight on one leg and so has lost its fine motor functions. Also have a highly stable tripod structure.
What are the phases of walking gate?
Heel strike is also known as initial contact
Gait cycle refers to the movement of one leg (two steps)

What is the structure of collagen?
3 polypeptide chains are wound together in a right-handed superhelix
there are H-bonds between chains
What is elastin?
Another ECM protein, which forms elastic fibres in lungs, arteries, skin and tendons.

What are glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans?
These are major components of the extracellular matrix
GAGs are negatively-charged
Proteoglycans are formed of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) covalently attached to the core proteins
Proteoglycans act as molecular sponges as they are associated with cations and water
What is cartilage made of?
80% water; the remainder is collagen (~2/3) and glycosaminoglycans (~1/3). GAG aggregates are maintained within a mesh of collagen fibrils. This confers elasticity and low friction in joints.
















