Medical Terminology for Health Professions
Ann Ehrlich/Carol L.Schroeder
7th Edition
The Skeletal System
Chapter 3
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Overview of Structures, Combining Forms,
and Functions of the Skeletal System
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Bones
• Primary Function
– Act as the framework for the body
– Protect the internal organs
– Store the mineral calcium
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– oss/e, oss/i
– oste/o, ost/o
(continues)
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Bones
• Typical Long Bone
(continues)
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Bones
(continues)
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Bones
(continues)
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Bones
(continues)
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Bones
(continues)
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Bones
(continues)
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Bones
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Bone Marrow
• Primary Function
– Red bone marrow forms some blood cells.
– Yellow bone marrow stores fat.
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– myel/o (also means spinal cord)
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Cartilage
• Primary Function
– Creates a smooth surface for motion within
the joints
– Protects the ends of the bones
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– chondr/o
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Joints
• Primary Function
– Work with the muscles to make a variety of
motions possible
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– arthr/o
(continues)
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Joints
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Ligaments
• Primary Function
– Connect one bone to another
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– ligament/o
(continues)
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Ligaments
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Synovial Membrane
• Primary Function
– Forms the lining of synovial joints
– Secretes synovial fluid
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– synovi/o, synov/o
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Synovial Fluid
• Primary Function
– Lubricant that makes smooth joint movements
possible
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– synovi/o, synov/o
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Bursa
• Primary Function
– Cushions areas of joints that are subject to
friction during movement
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– burs/o
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Key Word Parts and Definitions
• ankyl/o
– crooked, bent, stiff
• arthr/o
– joint
• chondr/i, chondr/o
– cartilage
• cost/o
– rib
(continues)
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Key Word Parts and Definitions
• crani/o
– skull
• -desis
– to bind, tie together
• kyph/o
– bent, hump
• lord/o
– curve, swayback bent
(continues)
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Key Word Parts and Definitions
• -lysis
– loosening or setting free
• myel/o
– spinal cord, bone marrow
• oss/e, oss/i, ost/o, oste/o
– bone
• scoli/o
– curved, bent
(continues)
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Key Word Parts and Definitions
• spondyl/o
– vertebrae, vertebral column, backbone
• synovi/o, synov/o
– synovial membrane, synovial fluid
• -um
– singular noun ending
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Questions
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Question
There are 15 phalanges (finger bones) in a
human hand.
True or False?
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Answer
False. The human hand has 14 phalanges.
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Question
Nearly one fourth of all human bones can be
found in the feet.
True or False?
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Answer
True
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Question
Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood,
we have only 206.
True or False?
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Answer
True
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Question
The largest bone in the human body is the:
a. femur
b. pelvis
c. fibula
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Answer
a. the femur (thigh bone)
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