Skeletal System Flashcards

Function of skeletal system

Support, protection, body movement, hemopoiesis (produces blood cells in the bone), and mineral stage.

midsagittal plane

passes lengthwise through the midplane of the body (divides into left and right halves)-equal

Sagittal planes

Extends vertically and divides the body into unequal left and right portions.

Coronal (frontal) plane

passes lengthwise and divides the body into front and back portions.

Traversal (horizontal) planes

divides body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Anatomical position

standing with legs slightly apart, arms down, palms forward.

Internal (deep)

away from the surface of the body (the brain is internal to the cranium)

External (superficial)

toward the surface of the body (the skin is external to the muscles)

Visceral

Related to internal organs (the lungs are covered by a thin membrane called the visceral pleura)

Palpation

the application of the fingers with firm pressure to the surface of the body to detect surface landmarks, lumps, tender spots or pulsations

Percussion

tapping sharply on various locations on the thorax or abdomen to detect resonating vibrations in determining fluid concentrations and organ densities.

Auscultation

Listening to the sounds that various organs make as they perform their functions (breathing sounds, heartbeats, digestive sounds, etc.)

used to determine the condition of parts of the nervous system and some associated organs. One test of a reflex mechanism involves tapping a predetermined tendon with a reflex hammer and observing the response.

Specific bone structures

each bone of the skeletal system is an organ since it consists of several types of tissue.Osseous tissue is the principle tissue, but nervous, vescular, and cartilaginous tissue also contribute to structure and function of bone.

Long Bones

longer than they are wide and function as levers. Most bones in the upper and lower extremities are of this type. (Humorous, Radius, Ulna, Femur, Tibia, Fibula, Metatarsals, and Metacarpals)