B.Sc. Nursing - Musculoskeletal System Detailed Notes (30 Pages)
Page 1: Introduction to Musculoskeletal System
Definition: The musculoskeletal system is a complex system that includes bones, muscles, joints, cartilage,
tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues. It provides structure to the body, allows movement, and
protects vital organs.
Functions: - Support and shape the body - Protect internal organs - Facilitate movement - Store minerals
(e.g., calcium, phosphorus) - Produce blood cells (hematopoiesis) - Store energy (yellow bone marrow)
Components: 1. Skeletal System 2. Muscular System 3. Joints and connective tissues
Page 2: Overview of the Skeletal System
Divisions: - Axial Skeleton (80 bones): Skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternum - Appendicular Skeleton (126
bones): Limbs and girdles (shoulder and pelvic)
Classification of Bones: - Long bones (e.g., humerus) - Short bones (e.g., carpals) - Flat bones (e.g., skull) -
Irregular bones (e.g., vertebrae) - Sesamoid bones (e.g., patella)
Bone Composition: - Compact bone (dense) - Spongy bone (lightweight, trabecular)
Page 3: Structure of Bone and Bone Cells
Bone Structure: - Diaphysis: Shaft of a long bone - Epiphysis: Ends of long bone - Metaphysis: Growth
region - Periosteum: Outer fibrous layer - Endosteum: Inner lining of bone cavity - Medullary cavity:
Contains yellow marrow
Bone Cells: 1. Osteoblasts – build bone 2. Osteocytes – mature bone cells 3. Osteoclasts – break down bone
Page 4: Bone Development and Growth
Ossification: - Intramembranous (e.g., flat bones of skull) - Endochondral (e.g., long bones)
Growth Plate (Epiphyseal Plate): - Responsible for longitudinal bone growth - Becomes epiphyseal line
after growth
Factors Affecting Bone Growth: - Nutrition (calcium, vitamin D) - Hormones (growth hormone, sex
hormones) - Physical activity
1
, Page 5: Axial Skeleton - Skull
Divisions of Skull: - Cranium (8 bones): frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid - Facial
bones (14 bones): maxilla, mandible, zygomatic, nasal, etc.
Functions: - Protect brain - House sense organs - Form structure of face
Page 6: Axial Skeleton - Vertebral Column
Divisions: 1. Cervical (7) 2. Thoracic (12) 3. Lumbar (5) 4. Sacrum (5 fused) 5. Coccyx (4 fused)
Curvatures: - Cervical and lumbar: Concave - Thoracic and sacral: Convex
Functions: - Protect spinal cord - Support head and trunk - Allow flexibility
Page 7: Axial Skeleton - Rib Cage and Sternum
Rib Classification: - True ribs (1–7) - False ribs (8–12) - Floating ribs (11–12)
Sternum Parts: - Manubrium - Body - Xiphoid process
Function: - Protect heart and lungs - Assist in breathing
Page 8: Appendicular Skeleton - Pectoral Girdle
Bones: - Clavicle (collarbone) - Scapula (shoulder blade)
Function: - Connect upper limbs to axial skeleton - Provide attachment for muscles
Page 9: Upper Limb Bones
1. Humerus (arm)
2. Radius and ulna (forearm)
3. Carpals (wrist)
4. Metacarpals (palm)
5. Phalanges (fingers)
Functions: - Facilitate hand movements - Support arm function
2
Page 1: Introduction to Musculoskeletal System
Definition: The musculoskeletal system is a complex system that includes bones, muscles, joints, cartilage,
tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues. It provides structure to the body, allows movement, and
protects vital organs.
Functions: - Support and shape the body - Protect internal organs - Facilitate movement - Store minerals
(e.g., calcium, phosphorus) - Produce blood cells (hematopoiesis) - Store energy (yellow bone marrow)
Components: 1. Skeletal System 2. Muscular System 3. Joints and connective tissues
Page 2: Overview of the Skeletal System
Divisions: - Axial Skeleton (80 bones): Skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternum - Appendicular Skeleton (126
bones): Limbs and girdles (shoulder and pelvic)
Classification of Bones: - Long bones (e.g., humerus) - Short bones (e.g., carpals) - Flat bones (e.g., skull) -
Irregular bones (e.g., vertebrae) - Sesamoid bones (e.g., patella)
Bone Composition: - Compact bone (dense) - Spongy bone (lightweight, trabecular)
Page 3: Structure of Bone and Bone Cells
Bone Structure: - Diaphysis: Shaft of a long bone - Epiphysis: Ends of long bone - Metaphysis: Growth
region - Periosteum: Outer fibrous layer - Endosteum: Inner lining of bone cavity - Medullary cavity:
Contains yellow marrow
Bone Cells: 1. Osteoblasts – build bone 2. Osteocytes – mature bone cells 3. Osteoclasts – break down bone
Page 4: Bone Development and Growth
Ossification: - Intramembranous (e.g., flat bones of skull) - Endochondral (e.g., long bones)
Growth Plate (Epiphyseal Plate): - Responsible for longitudinal bone growth - Becomes epiphyseal line
after growth
Factors Affecting Bone Growth: - Nutrition (calcium, vitamin D) - Hormones (growth hormone, sex
hormones) - Physical activity
1
, Page 5: Axial Skeleton - Skull
Divisions of Skull: - Cranium (8 bones): frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid - Facial
bones (14 bones): maxilla, mandible, zygomatic, nasal, etc.
Functions: - Protect brain - House sense organs - Form structure of face
Page 6: Axial Skeleton - Vertebral Column
Divisions: 1. Cervical (7) 2. Thoracic (12) 3. Lumbar (5) 4. Sacrum (5 fused) 5. Coccyx (4 fused)
Curvatures: - Cervical and lumbar: Concave - Thoracic and sacral: Convex
Functions: - Protect spinal cord - Support head and trunk - Allow flexibility
Page 7: Axial Skeleton - Rib Cage and Sternum
Rib Classification: - True ribs (1–7) - False ribs (8–12) - Floating ribs (11–12)
Sternum Parts: - Manubrium - Body - Xiphoid process
Function: - Protect heart and lungs - Assist in breathing
Page 8: Appendicular Skeleton - Pectoral Girdle
Bones: - Clavicle (collarbone) - Scapula (shoulder blade)
Function: - Connect upper limbs to axial skeleton - Provide attachment for muscles
Page 9: Upper Limb Bones
1. Humerus (arm)
2. Radius and ulna (forearm)
3. Carpals (wrist)
4. Metacarpals (palm)
5. Phalanges (fingers)
Functions: - Facilitate hand movements - Support arm function
2
