Skeletal System Flashcards
What does anterior mean
To the front or in front
What does prosterior mean?
To the rear or behind
What does medial mean ?
Towards the midline or axis, and imaginary line down the centre of the body
What does lateral mean?
Away from the midline or axis
What does proximal mean
Near to the root or origin
What does distal mean
Away from the root or origin
What does superior mean
Above
What does inferior mean
Below
What are the 5 types of bones ?
Long
Flat
Short
Sesamoid
Irregular
Long bone
Characteristics:
• Found in the limbs
• Have a shaft (diaphysis)
• Two expanded ends (epiphysis)
Function:
-Movement
-support
-red blood cell production
Examples:
Femur, humerus, tibia, radius, ulna
Short bone
Characteristics:
• Small, light, strong, cube shaped
• Cancellous bone surrounded by thin layer of compact bone
Function:
- Fine or small movements
- Shock absorption
- Stability
- Weight bearing (support weight of body)
Examples:
Carpals (Wrists), Tarsals (Ankles)
Flat bone
Characteristics:
• Thin
• flattened and slightly curved
• Large surface area
Function:
-Provides a broad surface for muscle attachment. I.e. muscles in the back attach to the pelvis.
- Protection for delicate areas i.e. the cranium protects the brain.
Examples:
-sternum, scapula, pelvis, cranium
Irregular bone
Characteristics:
• Complex shapes
Function:
- Protection (spinal cord)
- movement
Examples:
-vertebra
Sesamoid bone
Characteristics:
• Specialised function found within a tendon
• Smooth surface
Examples:
- Patella
Function:
- Protection
- Act like pulleys, providing a smooth surface for tendons to slide over and increase muscular force. Therefore reduces of friction across a joint
What is axial?
The axial skeleton is the main core or axis of your skeleton and consists of; the skull
(cranium and facial bones), the thoracic cage (sternum and ribs) and the vertebral column. Its main functions are protection and support
What are the axial bones?
Cranium
Vertebral column
Ribs
Sternum
What is appendicular?
The appendicular skeleton consists of the bones attached to the axial skeleton. Its main functions are leverage, blood production and storage of minerals.
Some bones of appendicular skeleton?
Clavicle
Humerus
Tibia
Fibula
Femur
What are the 5 sections of the vertebral column?
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar
Sacrum
Coccyx
Cervical
Number of Vertebrae:
There are 7 cervical vertebrae’s that are located at the
neck.
Characteristics:
They are the smallest and most vulnerable vertebrae of the
column.
Function:
They form a pivot joint that supports and allow the head
and neck to move freely.
Thoracic
Number of Vertebrae:
There are 12 vertebrae of the mid spine.
Characteristics:
They are mid-spine which articulate (link) with the ribs.
Function:
They lie in the thorax, a dome shaped structure that
protects the heart and the lungs.
Lumbar
Number of Vertebrae:
There are 5 lumbar vertebrae which are situated in the lower spine.
Characteristics:
Largest Moveable Vertebrae situated in the lower back
Function:
They support the weight of the other vertebrae’s and provides
attachment for many muscles in the back. They allow us to perform
large movements.
The discs between these vertebrae produce a concave curve in the
back.
Sacral
Number of Vertebrae:
There are 5 sacral vertebrae that are fused together to form the
sacrum.
Characteristics:
A triangle bone located below the lumbar vertebrae.
Function:
Forms the back wall of the pelvic gridle between the two hip bones.
It therefore supports our body weight
Coccyx
Number of Vertebrae:
There are 4 coccygeal vertebrae.
Characteristics:
They are located at the bottom of the vertebral column.
Function:
The 4 columns are fused together to form the coccyx or tail bone.