Comprehensive Radiographic
Pathology - Ch. 4 Skeletal System
Questions with Accurate Answers
Fibrous membrane covering the outer surface - ANSWERSPeriosteum
Shaft of long bone - ANSWERSDiaphysis
End of long bone that at first is separated form the main part by cartilage but later fuses
together by ossification - ANSWERSEpiphyses
Hollow, tube-like structure within the diaphysis - ANSWERSMedullary cavity
Inner membrane lining the medullary cavity of a bone - ANSWERSEndosteum
Outer layer consists of which to the naked eye appears dense and structureless -
ANSWERSCompact bone
Spongy bone of medullary cavity and bony trabeculae - ANSWERSCancellous (spongy)
bone
TrabeculaeSupporting or anchoring strands of connective tissue within body structures -
ANSWERSTrabeculae
Epiphyseal cartilageCartilagenous plate separtating the epiphysis from the diaphysis -
ANSWERSEpiphyseal cartilage
Wider part at the end of the shaft of a long bone, adjacent to the epiphyseal plate;
located between epiphysis and the diaphysis - ANSWERSMetaphysis
Produce new bone around the outer circumference from the periosteum -
ANSWERSOsteoblasts
Enlarge the diameter of the medullary cavity by removing bone from the diaphysis walls.
- ANSWERSOsteoclasts
Bone formation - ANSWERSOssification
Bone destruction from osteoclasts - ANSWERSResorption
Bone formation from connective tissue - ANSWERSIntramembranous ossification
,Flat bones growth in size by the addition of osseous tissue to their outer surfaces -
ANSWERSAppositional growth
What are the five basic functions of bones? - ANSWERS1. Bones serve as a supporting
framework of the body
2. Bones protect vital organs (e.g. the skull protects the brain, rib cage protects the
heart and lungs)
3. Bones serve as levers on which muscles can contract and shorten and thus produce
movement at a joint
4. Red bone marrow within certain bones (spinal column, upper humerus, and upper
femur is a major site of production of blood cells
5. Bones serve as the major storehouse for calcium salts. The maintenance of normal
level of calcium, which is essential for survival, depends on a balance in the rates of
calcium movment between blood and bones
Pathology of Vertebral anomalies: - ANSWERSLocation: Lumbar, cervical
Imaging appearance: Unilateral or bilateral, L5 expanded transverse process
Rudimentary C7 rib
Treatment: Cervical may require surgical removal for compression of brachial plexus or
subclavian artery
Vertebra with characteristics of another spinal region - ANSWERSTransitional vertebrae
An extra rib that articulates with a cervical vertebra: - ANSWERSCervical rib
Pathology of Spina bifida: - ANSWERSA spinal canal defect caused from failure of the
posterior elements to fuse properly.
Location: Cervical, thoracic, or lumbar/sacral spine
Imaging appearance: Splitting of bony neural canal
CT/MRI - soft tissue posterior mass with or without spinal cord and nerve roots
US - fetal demonstration of location and severity of phyophysiology
Treatment: Prevention - folic acid supplements during pregnancy
Fetal intervention - minimizing nerve damage
Nonfusion requires no treatment
Myelomeningocele is removed surgically
Mild, insignificant form, in which there is a splitting of the bony neural canal at the L5 or
S1 level. - ANSWERSSpina bifida occulta
Protrusion of the meninges through the skin - ANSWERSMeningocele
, Herniation of the spinal cord and meninges through the skin: -
ANSWERSMyelomeningocele
Pathology of Osteopetrosis (marble bones): - ANSWERSA rare hereditary bone
dysplasia in which bone marrow does not form and bones become brittle. Stress
fractures occur often. Must increase technical factors due to increased bone density
Location: entire skeleton
Imaging appearance: Generalized increased bone density
Treatment: No efficacious treatment
Medications to increase bone resorption
Possible transplant - bone marrow or osteoclastic precursors
Pathology of Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones): - ANSWERSA inherited
generalized disorder of connective tissue characterized by multiple fractures. May
require low Kv to compensate for loss of bone quality.
Location: long bones
Imaging appearance: Pathologic fracture, very thin cortical density
Treatment: Fracture alignment
External fixation - casting or braces
Internal fixation - extension rods for long-bone support to reduce deformities
Medications to reduce osteoclastic formation
Stem cell transplants are on the horizon
Pathology of Achondroplasia: - ANSWERSMost common form of dwarfism. Results
from diminished proliferation of cartilage in the growth plate.
Location: Vertebrae (short stature), long bones
Imaging appearance: Progressive interpedicular distance from superior to inferior, and
scalloping of posterior vertebral bodies
Widened metaphysis (Erienmeyer flask deformity)
CT - demonstrates spinal narrowing due to spondylosis and vertebral column changes
Treatment: Non specific
Growth hormone therapy (experimental)
Pathology of Hip dysplasia: - ANSWERSAlso known as developmental hip dysplasia,
results from incomplete acetabulum formation caused by physiologic and mechanical
factors.
Pathology - Ch. 4 Skeletal System
Questions with Accurate Answers
Fibrous membrane covering the outer surface - ANSWERSPeriosteum
Shaft of long bone - ANSWERSDiaphysis
End of long bone that at first is separated form the main part by cartilage but later fuses
together by ossification - ANSWERSEpiphyses
Hollow, tube-like structure within the diaphysis - ANSWERSMedullary cavity
Inner membrane lining the medullary cavity of a bone - ANSWERSEndosteum
Outer layer consists of which to the naked eye appears dense and structureless -
ANSWERSCompact bone
Spongy bone of medullary cavity and bony trabeculae - ANSWERSCancellous (spongy)
bone
TrabeculaeSupporting or anchoring strands of connective tissue within body structures -
ANSWERSTrabeculae
Epiphyseal cartilageCartilagenous plate separtating the epiphysis from the diaphysis -
ANSWERSEpiphyseal cartilage
Wider part at the end of the shaft of a long bone, adjacent to the epiphyseal plate;
located between epiphysis and the diaphysis - ANSWERSMetaphysis
Produce new bone around the outer circumference from the periosteum -
ANSWERSOsteoblasts
Enlarge the diameter of the medullary cavity by removing bone from the diaphysis walls.
- ANSWERSOsteoclasts
Bone formation - ANSWERSOssification
Bone destruction from osteoclasts - ANSWERSResorption
Bone formation from connective tissue - ANSWERSIntramembranous ossification
,Flat bones growth in size by the addition of osseous tissue to their outer surfaces -
ANSWERSAppositional growth
What are the five basic functions of bones? - ANSWERS1. Bones serve as a supporting
framework of the body
2. Bones protect vital organs (e.g. the skull protects the brain, rib cage protects the
heart and lungs)
3. Bones serve as levers on which muscles can contract and shorten and thus produce
movement at a joint
4. Red bone marrow within certain bones (spinal column, upper humerus, and upper
femur is a major site of production of blood cells
5. Bones serve as the major storehouse for calcium salts. The maintenance of normal
level of calcium, which is essential for survival, depends on a balance in the rates of
calcium movment between blood and bones
Pathology of Vertebral anomalies: - ANSWERSLocation: Lumbar, cervical
Imaging appearance: Unilateral or bilateral, L5 expanded transverse process
Rudimentary C7 rib
Treatment: Cervical may require surgical removal for compression of brachial plexus or
subclavian artery
Vertebra with characteristics of another spinal region - ANSWERSTransitional vertebrae
An extra rib that articulates with a cervical vertebra: - ANSWERSCervical rib
Pathology of Spina bifida: - ANSWERSA spinal canal defect caused from failure of the
posterior elements to fuse properly.
Location: Cervical, thoracic, or lumbar/sacral spine
Imaging appearance: Splitting of bony neural canal
CT/MRI - soft tissue posterior mass with or without spinal cord and nerve roots
US - fetal demonstration of location and severity of phyophysiology
Treatment: Prevention - folic acid supplements during pregnancy
Fetal intervention - minimizing nerve damage
Nonfusion requires no treatment
Myelomeningocele is removed surgically
Mild, insignificant form, in which there is a splitting of the bony neural canal at the L5 or
S1 level. - ANSWERSSpina bifida occulta
Protrusion of the meninges through the skin - ANSWERSMeningocele
, Herniation of the spinal cord and meninges through the skin: -
ANSWERSMyelomeningocele
Pathology of Osteopetrosis (marble bones): - ANSWERSA rare hereditary bone
dysplasia in which bone marrow does not form and bones become brittle. Stress
fractures occur often. Must increase technical factors due to increased bone density
Location: entire skeleton
Imaging appearance: Generalized increased bone density
Treatment: No efficacious treatment
Medications to increase bone resorption
Possible transplant - bone marrow or osteoclastic precursors
Pathology of Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones): - ANSWERSA inherited
generalized disorder of connective tissue characterized by multiple fractures. May
require low Kv to compensate for loss of bone quality.
Location: long bones
Imaging appearance: Pathologic fracture, very thin cortical density
Treatment: Fracture alignment
External fixation - casting or braces
Internal fixation - extension rods for long-bone support to reduce deformities
Medications to reduce osteoclastic formation
Stem cell transplants are on the horizon
Pathology of Achondroplasia: - ANSWERSMost common form of dwarfism. Results
from diminished proliferation of cartilage in the growth plate.
Location: Vertebrae (short stature), long bones
Imaging appearance: Progressive interpedicular distance from superior to inferior, and
scalloping of posterior vertebral bodies
Widened metaphysis (Erienmeyer flask deformity)
CT - demonstrates spinal narrowing due to spondylosis and vertebral column changes
Treatment: Non specific
Growth hormone therapy (experimental)
Pathology of Hip dysplasia: - ANSWERSAlso known as developmental hip dysplasia,
results from incomplete acetabulum formation caused by physiologic and mechanical
factors.
