Major features of the axial and appendicular skeleton

Major features of the axial and appendicular skeleton. 10/14 There is a lot of information in CH 8, much of which was covered in lab and most of which will not appear on the lecture test. These lecture notes seek to cover some of the most important parts and introduce some aspects not discussed in lab. In short, let the notes be your guide to the chapter and the content for the lecture exam. • Vocabulary Review: What are the primary features of bones? • What are the design requirements for the skull? • How do we humidify inspired air? • How does the vertrebral column allow for a full range of motion? • How do infant and adult skulls differ? • How is the pelvis constructed and why do the sexes differ? • How does our skeleton make bidepalism possible? Most of what is covered in CH 8 was covered on the last lab exam. CH 8 lecture exam questions will be limited to what appears in these notes and the end of chapter questions. The same is also true for chapter 9 notes/questions.

Skeletal Muscle Assignment for Lecture: Due Monday Oct 21 st • This will help you get credit for writing and memorizing • See website for details

Osteoporosis has an immense impact on the health of the elderly. • http: //courses. washington. edu/bonephys/ • Go to the Osteoporosis and Physiology sites for a preview.

Why is the skull designed the way it is? What are some of the things it has to do flawlessly? • • Balance of cranial Weight vs. Strength Based on skull, do our eyes look anteriorly or laterally? Protection of cortex and cerebellum: Stress of birth/size of brain: Provide for muscle attachments: Passages for nerves, inhalation and swallowing: Production and removal of cerebral spinal fluids: What special problems occur if swelling occurs in the cranial cavity (cerebral vascular hemorrhage, encephalitis or hydrocephaly)? What is the solution?

What are some of the tricks used to prevent damage to the brain and the skull? • Cerebral spinal fluids! • Meninges: Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater – These sheaths lie between bone and neuronal tissue • Muscle masses: • Three Fossa: Anterior cranial. Middle cranial. Posterior cranial (lowest step)

The sinus helps reduce the weight of the skull and prevent compressions, it is sort of a “shock absorber”. Each sinus has a passage that allows it to directly open into the nasal cavity. Why are openings problematic with respect to “sinus infections”? Why are the useful to a neurosurgeon for trauma minimization?

The ethmoid bone is of particular clinical significance. It’s concha and the mucus membranes that cover them help clean and humidify inspired air prior to entry into the lung.

Snoring may occur if the concha resonate improperly, this may require surgical alteration. Other clinical problems related to the ethmoid are related to drug abuse, broken nasal bones and infection of the brain through the olfactory neurons.

What special design permits the vertebral column to support the force of gravity on our body? How many Vertebrae do we have? • 7 Cervical- • 12 Thoracic • 5 Lumbar • 5 Saccral (fused) • 4 Coccygeal Variations may occur

How do the vertebra resist torsion that might dislocate them, compression that could crush them, yet also allow for flexion? Basic Vertabra Features: • Body • Spinous Process • Pedicle/Lamina • Transverse process • Vertebral Foramen. Articulation of Adjacent Vertebrae -Two process face caudal (down)/two process face cranial (up) -A specialized vertebrae (axis and atlas) attach vertebral column to the skull superiorly with the dens! Intervertebral Discs (fibrocartilage) cushion the vertebrae: -Nucleus Pulpus -Anulus fibrosus -Herniated disc: rupture to the anulus fibrosus -Inflammation or escaped nucleus puts pressure on spinal cord or spinal nerve roots

Scoliosis, Kyphosis and Lordosis are problems with spinal curvature. Causes: 1) Osteoporosis or excessive load, 2) Pregnancy or obesity, 3) Improper formation of lateral aspect of vertebral body. What are their effects on discs, breathing, and spinal nerve functions? Why can scoliosis only be corrected with a brace during childhood?

What do they have to do to manipulate your vertebrae if you have scoliosis? • Lets take a look at the wonderful radiographs one of us was kind enough to provide!

Why can ectopic calcifications be promoted during osteoporosis or as a result of chonic injury to a disc? How does it effect nerve function? Would this be more likely in the Thoracic or Lumbar vertebrae? Why might calcifications lead to leg pain or loss of muscle strength? Why might ectopic calcifications lead to Sciatic Nerve Problems?

The pelvis is an unusual bone, it is different in men and women, and represents a fusion of three bones.

Why do males and females differ with respect to pelvic requirements and design? Compare the two sexes: • False Pelvis: shallow or deep? • Pelvic Inlet width? • True Pelvis width? • Angle of pubic arch? Pubic symphosis at birth? • Why does the structure and function of the fibrocartilage of the pubic symphosis change right before birth?

The vertical orientation of our pelvis lets us walk up-right (bipedalism) at some cost. What is cost of arthritis to our hips, vertebrae and discs? Why does the shape and insole of our foot change with bipedalism? What limits the size of a human infant at birth, how is this linked to the pelvis and bidedalism?