The Musculoskeletal System

The surgical removal of all or part of an arm or a leg

Inflammation of joints, usually associated with pain and stiffness

The loss of muscle size and strength

A tough, fibrous substance found in joints and other parts of the body; in slightly movable joints, the cartilage acts as a "shock absorber," in freely movable joints, the cartilage provides a smooth surface for the bones of the joint to move against

The process of holding a broken bone in one position until the fracture heals; may be external (accomplished through the use of a cast) or internal (accomplished through the use of metal plates, screws, rods, pins, or wires attached to the bone)

A broken bone

The area where two bones join together

Very strong bands of fibrous tissue that cross over the joint capsule, attaching one bone to another and stabilizing the joint

The steady contraction of the skeletal muscles that helps us to maintain an upright posture, such as sitting or standing

A general term for a group of disorders tha cause the skeletal muscles to become more and more weak over time

A disorder characterized by the excessive loss of bone tissue

The feeling that a body part is still present, after it has been surgically removed (amputated)

The complete extent of movement that a joint is normally capable of without causing pain

The word used to describe the process of bringing ends of a broken bone into alignment

The framework for the body formed by the bones

The end of an amputated limb that is left after surgery

Bands of connective tissue that attach the skeletal muscles to the bones

A treatment for fracture in which the ends of the broken bone are placed in the proper alignment and then weight is applied to exert a constant pull and keep the bone in alignment

A device that is attached to the overhead frame of a person's bed; used to assist with movement