Term | Definition |
agonist | the muscle(s) that produces movement |
amphiarthrosis | slightly moveable joints |
antagonist | the muscle(s) that relaxes in order to allow a movement |
appendicular skeleton | consists of bone of the shoulders, hips, upper and lower extremities |
arthritis | inflammation of the joints |
arthrodesis | fusion/stabilization or binding of a joint |
atlas | the first cervical vertebra which supports the skull |
axial skeleton | consists of the bones of the skull, thorax and vertebral column |
axis | the second cervical vertebra which provides rotation of the skull |
bones | principal organs of support and protection in the body |
bone marrow | found within larger bones; responsible for production of blood cells |
cervical vertebra | the seven vertebrae which form the skeletal framework of the neck |
coccyx | tail of the vertebral column consisting of four or five fused vertebrae (tail bone) |
compact bone | hard, outer layer of bone |
condyle | rounded, articulating knob |
crest | a type of bone process that has a large ridge shape |
diaphysis | the shaft or long main portion of the bone |
diarthrosis | freely moveable joints |
epiphysis | the end or extremity of the bone |
fascicle | a bundle of muscle fibres |
femorotibial | pertaining to the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (lower leg bone) |
fissure | narrow, slit-like opening |
flat bones | provide a broad surface for muscular attachment and protection for internal organs (pelvic bone) |
foramen | rounded opening through a bone to accommodate blood vessels and nerves |
fracture | breakage of a bone due to trauma or disease |
gluteus maximus | large muscle of the buttocks |
head | prominent rounded articulating end of a bone |
ilium | the lateral flaring portion of the hip bone; upper of the three parts of the hip bone |
intervertebral disks | rounded structure with a gelatinous mass in the centre that separates the vertebrae |
involuntary | that which occurs with no discretionary control usually a visceral muscle (heart action or peristalsis) |
irregular bones | all other bones that cannot be grouped together under other headings |
ischium | the lower part of the hip bone |
kyphosis | an exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic vertebrae(hunch back or humpback) |
latissimus dorsi | the large muscle of the back |
ligament | band of connective tissue that connects bone to bone |
long bones | found in extremities of the body (arms, legs, and fingers) |
lordosis | abnormal inward curvature of the spine (seen in pregnancy or obesity) |
lumbar vertebrae | the five vertebrae situated in the lower back which carry most of the weight of the torso |
meatus | opening of passage into a bone |
metacarpectomy | excision of the bones in the hand |
muscles | structures that contract providing movement of the bone |
muscular tissue | refers to all of the contractile tissue of the body; two main types are voluntary and involuntary |
musculoskeletal system | consists of bones, joints and muscles, which provide the body with support, protection and the ability to move |
myelocele | hernia of the spinal cord |
osteoclasis | to break a bone for therapeutic reasons.(Surgical fracture for resetting) |
osteblast | a cell in the bone marrow that produces bone |
osteclast | a cell in the bone marrow that reabsorbs bone |
osteoma | bone tumor |
osteoporosis | bone pores or cavities resulting from disease in bone density |
paraplegia | paralysis of the lower spine and the lower portion of the trunk and both legs |
patellapexy | surgical fixation of the kneecap |
pelvimetry | measurement of the pelvis |
pelvis | basin shaped structure that support the sigmoid colon, rectum, bladder and other soft organs of the abdominopelvic cavity |
periosteum | a dense fibrous membrane that covers the surface of the bone and contains blood and lymph vessels and nerves |
phalangeal | pertaining to the bones of the fingers and toes |
podiatry | foot treatment |
pubis | the third portion of the hipbone that is situated in front of the bladder |
quadriplegia | paralysis of the upper spine and all four extremities |
ribs | series of twelve pair of curved bones attached to the vertebral column which provides protection for internal organs |
sacrum | the five sacral vertebrae which are fused into a single bone |
scoliosis | abnormal lateral curvature of the spine |
short bones | bones that are as wide as they are long (ankles, wrists) |
sinus | cavity or hollow space in a bone |
spina bifida | a genetic disorder that results in malformation of the spin due to imperfect joining of the vertebrae |
stemocleidomatoid | a muscle of the chest arising from the sternum and inner part of the clavicle |
sternum | breast bone/chest plate |
substernal | pertaining to under the sternum |
synarthrosis | immovable joints |
syndactylism | condition of fingers and toes joined together. (webbed) |
tendon | a strap composed of connective tissue that joins muscle to bone |
thoracic vertebrae | twelve vertebrae which support the chest and serve as a point of articulation for the ribs |
torticollis | stiff neck caused by spasmodic contraction of the neck muscle |
trochanter | very large, irregularly shaped process found only on the femur |
tubercle | small rounded process |
tuberosity | large rounded process |
vertebrae | twenty six bones which make up the adult vertebral column |
voluntary | that which is done with control. Usually a striated muscle such as the biceps (walking and blinking) |