Anatomy/Skeletal System

The skeletal system is a topic of the event Anatomy.

For the skeletal system you will need to know:

1. The names of the bones and their surface anatomy as shown on a diagram or X-ray
2. Name, structure, and function of types of joints and ranges allowed by each joint
3. Structures of bones in cross-section
4. How to distinguish between types of vertebrae
5. Diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, disc herniation, and scoliosis
6. Effects of exercise on the skeletal system

Competition Level	Health Concepts
Regional/State	Bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton, including the ability to label bones on a diagram and/or X-ray Name, structure, and function of types of joints (ball and socket joints, fibrous joints, cartilagenous joints, synovial joints, etc.), including the range of motion allowed by each type Name, structure, and function of the muscles and ligament attachments that surround joints Structure, cellular composition, and function of bones, bone marrow, and cartilage, including the ability to identify components in cross-section Distinguish types of spinal vertebrae (e.g., cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) Understanding of the following diseases at the levels from the cell to the whole body, including the radiological features of each disease: osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, fractures, disc herniation, scoliosis, anterior cruciate ligament tears, medial collateral ligament damage The effect of exercise on the skeletal system and the aforementioned diseases
National	Understanding of the following additional diseases: spinal stenosis, achondroplasia, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, spinal fractures, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteosarcoma Treatment and/or prevention of all the aforementioned diseases and disorders, including drugs, surgery, and other alternative treatments Bones of the skull, including the ability to label them on a diagram Salter-Harris fracture identification system

Types of Joints

Ball and Socket: one side of the joint is a rounded, ball-shaped bone, which fits into a cup-like socket of a different bone; allows for a huge range of movement and is found in the hip and the shoulder

Condyloid: an ovoid head of one bone moves in an elliptical cavity of another, allowing all movements except axial rotation; this type is found at the wrist to connect the radius and carpal bones, and at the base of the index finger

Saddle: similar movements to a condyloid joint, a joint where two saddle-shaped ends of a bone meet, found in the thumbs

Hinge: only allows flexing and extending movement; found in the elbow, knee, and in the phalanges of both the fingers and toes

Pivot: one bone rotates around another, allows rotating movement similar to that of a lid on a jar

Skeletal System Diseases

Diseases of the Skeletal System

Disease Name	Cause	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention	Effect on the Body
Osteoarthritis	Faster break down of cartilage, extra strain on joints, joint injuries	Pain in joints, stiffness, limited joint movement, tenderness/swelling	Maintain healthy weight, exercise, Medications- acetaminophen, NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)	Exercise, keep healthy weight, avoid joint injuries	Break down of cartilage of joints, joints become hurtful
Osteoporosis	Age, Gender, more bone being absorbed than new bone being made	Back pains, stooped posture, easily broken bones, loss of height	Calcium and Vitamin D, exercise, healthy diet, Medications- calcitonin, bisphosphonates	Nutritious diet, exercise, don’t smoke, don’t drink a lot of alcohol	Thinning of the bone
Disc Herniation	Wear and tear of disc, injuries, strain on disc, age	Pain, numbness, weakness, leg pain, muscle pain	Limit activities, use ice or heat, aspirin, NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)	Healthy body weight, exercise, quit smoking, practice good posture	Bulging/ breaking of discs
Scoliosis	Disorders at birth, injuries, infections	Curvature of the spine, one shoulder stick out more than the other	Brace, pain relieving meds (aspirin, ibuprofen)	Cannot be prevented	Curvature of the spine
Spinal Stenosis	Osteoarthritis, formation of bone spurs in spine	Pain, loss of balance, loss of bladder control	Physical therapy, NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), rest, limited activity, back brace	Exercise, use good body mechanics, healthy weight, good posture	Narrowing in areas of spine- puts pressure on nerves
Rheumatoid Arthritis	Genes- allow for autoimmune disorder of joints- body destroys own joints	Pain and swelling in joints, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss	Physical therapy, Medications- NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs)	Cannot be prevented	Inflammation of tissues lining joints- causes destruction of joints
Gout	Too much uric acid in the blood, obesity, a lot of alcohol, other conditions, taking certain medications	Pain/swelling in the joint, skin around joint red and itchy, intolerable pain, fever	Rest, healthy weight, limit alcohol, Medications- NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)	Control risk factors	A kind of arthritis, formation of hard crystals in joints
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis	Genetic factors, overly active immune system, infection that activates immune system	Joint pain, swelling, irritability	Exercise, assistive devices, Medications- NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs)	Cannot be prevented	Rheumatoid arthritis in children

Sample Questions

Resources

• Skeletal System
• Skeletal tutorials
• Great tutorial on the human skeleton