articular cartilage
thin layer of cartilage that covers the ends of the long bones and the surfaces of the joints
bone depressions
concave, indented areas or openings in bones
bone markings
specific features of individual bones
bone processes
projections or outgrowth of bones
cancellous bone
spongy bone, not as dense as compact bone
cervical vertebrae
vertebrae or bones of the neck, C1 through C7
compact bone
hard outer shell of the bone
condyle
knucklelike projection at the end of a bone
crest
distinct border or ridge
diaphysis
main shaftlike portion of a bone
epiphyseal line
a layer of cartilage that separates the diaphysis and epiphysis of a bone; also known as the epiphyseal plate
epiphysis
the end of a bone
false ribs
rib pairs 8 through 10, which connect to the vertebrae in the back but not to the sternum in the front because they join the seventh rib in the front
fissure
a groove or depression in a bone; a sulcus
flat bones
bones that are broad and thin with flat or cured surfaces; such as the sternum
floating ribs
rib pairs 11 and 12, which connect to the vertebrae in the back but are free of any attachment in the front
fontanelle
space between the bones of an infant’s cranium; “soft spot”
foramen
hole in a bone through which blood vessels or nerves pass
fossa
hallow or concave depression in a bone
haversian canals
system of small canals within compact one that contain blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves.
hematopoisis
the normal formation and development of blood cells in the bone marrow
intercostal spaces
spaces between the ribs
intervertebral disk
a flat, circular, plate-like structure of cartilage that serves as a cushion (or shock absorber) between the vertebrae
long bones
bones that are longer than they are wide and with distinctive shaped ends, such as the femur
lumbar vertebrae
the vertebrae of the lower back; L1 through L5
medullary cavity
he center portion of the shaft of a long bone containing the yellow marrow
ossification
the conversion of cartilage and fibrous connective tissue to the bone; formation of bone.
osteoblasts
immature bone cells that actively produce boney tissue
osteoclasts
large cells that absorb or digest old bone tissue
osteocytes
mature bone cells
periosteum
the thick, white, fibrous membrane that covers the surface of a long bone
red bone marrow
the soft, semifluid substance located in the small spaces of cancellous bone that is the source of blood cell production
resorption
the process of removing or digesting old bone tissue
sesamoid bones
irregular bones imbedded in tendons near a join, as in the kneecap
short bones
bones that are about as long as they are wide and somewhat box shaped, such as the wrist bone
sinus
an opening or hallow space in a bone; a cavity within a bone
spine
a sharp projection from the surface of a bone, similar to a crest
stenosis
an abnormal condition characterized by a narrowing or restriction of an opening or passageway in a body structure.
sulcus
a groove or depression in a bone; a fissure
sutures
immovable joints; such as those of the cranium
thoracic vertebrae
the 12 vertebrae of the chest; T1 through T12
trabeculae
needlelike bony spicules within cancellous one that contribute to the spongy appearance. Their distribution along lines of stress adds to the strength of the bone
trochanter
large bony process located below the neck of the femur
true ribs
the first seven pairs of ribs, which connect to the vertebrae in the back and to the sternum in the front
tubercle
a small rounded process of bone
tuberosity
an elevated, broad, rounded process of a bone
vertebral foramen
a large opening in the center of each vertebra that serves as a passageway for the spinal cord
yellow marrow
located in the diaphysis of long bones, yellow marrow consists of fatty tissue and is inactive in the formation of blood cells
osteoporosis
porous bones; bones that were once strong become fragile due to loss of bone density
osteomalacia
a disease in which the bones become abnormally soft due to a deficiency of calcium and phosphorus in the blood which is necessary for bone mineralization). This disease results in fracture noticeable deformities of the weight bearing bones. When the disease occurs in children, it is called rickets.
osteomyelitis
a local or generalized infection of the bone and bone marrow, resulting from a bacterial infection that has spread to the bone tissue through the blood.
Ewing’s Sarcoma
a malignant tumor of the ones common to young adults, particularly adolescent boys
osteogenic sarcoma
malignant tumor arising from the bone. The most common malignant bone tumor, with common sites being the distal femur (just above the knee), the proximal tibia (just below the knee), and the proximal humerus (just below the shoulder joint).
osteochondroma
most common benign bone tumor. The femur and the tibia are most frequently involved.
Paget’s disease
a non-metabolic disease of the bone, characterized by excessive bone destruction (breakdown of bone tissue by the osteoclasts) and unorganized bone formation by the osteoblasts. The bone is weak and prone to fractures. After symptoms are present, the diseased bone takes on the the characteristic mosaic pattern that can be detected with x-ray or bone scan; also known as osteitis deformans.
spinal stenosis
a narrowing of the vertebral canal, nere root canals or intervertebral foramini (openings) of the lumbar spinal canal. The narrowing causes pressure on the nerve roots prior to their exit fro the foramini
talipes equinovarus
clubfoot
Kyphosis
an abnormal outward curvature of a portion of the spine, commonly known as humpback or hunchback.
Lordosis
an abnormal inward curvature of a portion of the spine, commonly known as swayback
Scoliosis
an abnormal lateral (sideward) curvature of a portion of the spine. The curvature may be to the left or to the right.
fracture
a broken bone; a sudden breaking of a bone
closed fracture
a simple fracture. there is a break in a bone, but no open wound in the skin.
open fracture
a compound fracture; there is a break in a bone, as well as an open wound in the skin
complete fracture
a break that extends throught eh entire thickness of the bone.
greenstick fracture
an incomplete fracture; a break that does not extend through the entire thickness of the bone; That is one side of the bone is fractured and one side of the bone is bent.
compression fracture
caused by bone surfaces being forced against each other; as in the compression of one vertebra against another. Often associated with osteoporosis.
impacted fracture
occurs when a direct force causes the bone to break, forcing the broken end of the smaller bone into the broken end of the larger bone.
comminuted fracture
occurs when the force is so great that it splinters or crushes a segment of the bone.
Colles’ fracture
occurs at the lower wend of the radius, within 1 inch of connecting with the wrist bones.
hairline fracture
stress fracture; a minor fracture in which the bone continues to be in perfect alignment. The fracture appears on an X-ray as a very thin “hair line” between two segments. It does not extend through the entire surface of the bone.
pathological fracture
occurs when a bone, which is weakened by a preexisting disease, breaks in response to a force that would not cause a normal bone to break.
occult fracture
is a fracture that cannot be detected by X-ray until several weeks after the injury (a “hidden” fracture)
closed reduction
consists of aligning the bone fragments through manual manipulation or traction without making an incision into the skin.
open reduction
consists of realigning the bone under direct observation during surgery.
bone scan
involves the intravenous injection of a radioisotope which is absorbed by bone tissue. After approximately 3 hours, the skeleton is scanned with a gamma camera (scanner) moving from one end of the body to the other. The scanner detects the areas of radioactive concentration (areas here the bone absorbs the isotope) and converts the radioactive image to a screen on which the concentrations show up as pinpoint dots cast the image of a skeleton.
bone marrow aspiration
the process of removing a small sample of bone marrow from a selected site with a needle for the purpose of examining the specimen under a microscope
dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
a non-invasive procedure that measures one density. In the DEXA procedure, an X-ray machine generates the energy photons that pass through the bones. A computer then evaluates the amount of radiation absorbed by the bones and the findings are interpreted by a physician.
C1, C2, C3,…
cervical vertebra 1, 2, 3, etc.
DEXA
dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
DIP
distal interphalangeal (joint)
Fx
fracture
L1, L2, L3, …
lumbar vertebra 1, 2, 3, etc.
LLE
left lower extremity
LUE
left upper extremity
MCP
metacarpophalangeal (joint)
MTP
metatarsophalangeal (joint)
PIP
proximal interphalangeal (joint)
RLE
right lower extremity
RUE
right upper extremity
S1
sacrum
T1, T2, T3, …
thoracic vertebra 1, 2, 3, etc.
THA
total hip arthroplasty
THR
total hip replacement
TKA
total knee arthroplasty
TKR
total knee replacement
TMJ
temporomandibular joint
internal fixation devices
devices such as screws, pins, wires and nails may be used to internally maintain the bone alignment while healing takes place.
