Skeletal System Health Article

KEY TERMS

Bone—Composed primarily of a non-living matrix of calcium salts and a living matrix of collagen fibers, bone is the major component that makes up the human skeleton. Bone produces blood cells and functions as a storage site for elements such as calcium and phosphorus.

Calcium—A naturally occurring element which combines primarily with phosphate to form the nonliving matrix of bones.

Cartilage—A type of connective tissue that takes three forms: elastic cartilage, fibrocartilage, and hyaline cartilage. Hyaline cartilage forms the embryonic skeleton and lines the joints of bones.

Haversian system—Tubular systems in compact bone with a central Haversian canal which houses blood and lymph vessels surrounded by circular layers of calcium salts and collagen, called lamellae, in which reside osteocytes.

Marrow—A type of connective tissue which fills the spaces of most cancellous bone and which functions to produce blood cells and store fat.

Ossification—The process of replacing connective tissue such as cartilage and mesenchyme with bone.

Osteoblast—The bone cell which deposits calcium salts and collagen during bone growth, bone remodeling and bone repair.

Osteoclast—The bone cell responsible for reabsorbing bone tissue in bone remodeling and repair.

Osteocyte—Mature bone cell which functions mainly to regulate the levels of calcium and phosphate in the body.

Skeleton—Consists of bones and cartilage which are linked together by ligaments. The skeleton protects vital organs of the body and enables body movement.

Synovial joint—One of three types of joints in the skeleton and by far the most common. Synovial joints are lined with a membrane which secretes a lubricating fluid. Includes ball and socket, pivot, plane, hinge, saddle, condylar, and ellipsoid joints.

Vertebrates—Includes all animals with a vertebral column protecting the spinal cord such as humans, dogs, birds, lizards, and fish.

BOOKS

Adams, John S., and Lukertet, Barbara P. Osteoporosis: Genetics, Prevention and Treatment. Boston: Kluwer Academic, 1999.

Browner, Bruce D., et al., ed. Skeletal Trauma: Fractures, Dislocations, Ligamentous Injuries, vols 1 and 2. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1998.

Ganong, William F. Review of Medical Physiology. 20th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, 2001.

Kessler, George J., et al. The Bone Density Diet: 6 Weeks to a Strong Body and Mind. New York: Ballantine Books, 2000.

Praemer, A., et al., ed. Musculoskeletal Conditions in the United States. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 1999.

PERIODICALS

Boskey, Adele L. "Musculoskeletal Disorders and Orthopedic Conditions" Journal of the American Medical Association 285 (2001): 619–623. <http://jama.amaassn.org/issues/v285n5/ffull/jsc00335.html>.

Feder, G., et al. "Guidelines for the prevention of falls in people over 65." British Medical Journal 321 (2000): 1007–1011.

McClung, Michael R., et al. "Effect of Risedronate on the Risk of Hip Fracture in Elderly Women." The New England Journal of Medicine 344, no. 5 (2001): 333–40.

ORGANIZATIONS

Arthritis Foundation. 1330 W. Peachtree St., PO Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357-0669. (800) 283-7800. <http://www.arthritis.org>.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), 31 Center Dr., Room #5B-58, Bethesda, MD 20892-2182. (800) NIH-NCAM, Fax (301) 495-4957. <http://nccam.nih.gov>.

National Osteoporosis Foundation. 1150 17th Street, Suite 500 NW, Washington, DC 20036-4603. (800) 223-9994. <http://www.nof.org>.

Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases-National Resource Center. 1150 17th St., NW, Ste. 500, Washington, DC 20036-4603. (800) 624-BONE. <http://www.osteo.org>.

Crystal Heather Kaczkowski, MSc.