Skeleton

Question 1

what are the 2 types of skeleton

Answer 1

axial - skull, vertabrae, sternum and rib cage
appendicular- everything else

Question 2

what are the 5 functions of the skeleton?

Answer 2

• structure/support
• protection of vital organs (rib cage / skull)
• muscle attachment = movement
• blood cell production
• calcium mineral storage = allows nerves to function

Question 3

what are the 3 main regions of the vertebral column ?

Answer 3

thoracic
lumbar
cervical

Question 4

describe the lumbar vertabrae

Answer 4

provide support and absorb the stress of weight bearing like lifting and carrying.
- they have more processes for muscle attachment
- large body, thick vertabrae arch and a smaller vertabrae canal
- MORE ROBUST
- L1 - L5

Question 5

describe the thoracic vertabrae

Answer 5

articulate with the ribs and with other vertabrae so have serveral facets for articulation.
- More circular vertabral canal
- T1 - T12
- Less mobile

Question 6

describe the cervical vertabrae

Answer 6

cervical vertabrae have a longer spinous process and shorter transverse process. The vertabral canal is wider because the spinal nerve is widest here.
- TRIANGLE shaped
- C2 - C7
- Have two holes as well as foramen for blood vessels to go to the brain

Question 7

what are the functions of the vertabrae column?

Answer 7

• supports the head
• encloses and protects the spinal cord
• transmits weight from the body to the leg
• provides attachment for the ribs and muscles

Question 8

Structure and adaptations of the vertabrae

Answer 8

features :
- Body (centrum) = compression member to take the body weight, increasing in size from head (cervical) to pelvis (lumbar)
- Vertabral canal / foramen = protects the spinal cord, the canal gets narrower from head (cervical) to pelvis (lumbar)
- Transverse processes = muscle attatchment sites. None at cervical, 4 facets at thoracic to articulate with ribs, lumbar has large processes for muscle attachment
- Spinous processes

Question 9

when do fractures occur?

Answer 9

when the force applied exceeds the strength of the bone

Question 10

what are the types of fractures ?

Answer 10

• Displaced / Non displaced = the bones have been pulled out of normal alignment
• Compound = bone penetrates the skin leaving an open fracture, injury involes an open wound
• Comminuted = lots of different breaks of a single bone
• Simple

Question 11

what are the 4 treatments of fracture?

Answer 11

• pain and inflamation relief - Ibuprofen
• realignment of bones = so it heals back to its original shape
• immobalisation by using a cast or splint, gives time for osteoblasts to deposit bone and rejoin ends, osteaclasts to digest fragments and remodel ends
• surgery , inserting plates and screws to speed up repair and allow for normal movement to occur sooner.

Question 12

what are 3 postural deformities ?

Answer 12

• SCOLIOSIS, is a deformation of the spine where it is twisted sideways, caused by muscle imbalance (can be genetic). Through physiotherapy back muscles can be developed or surgery can be a treatment.
• FLAT FEET, is where there is no arch formation in the foot (usually genetic), specialised shoes cna eliminate pain, minor cases can be treated by physiotherapy but may need bracing or surgery.
  knock knees
• KNOCK KNEES, can be the result of rickets, obesity and more often resolved naturally, may need a brace or surgery.