Medical-Surgical Nursing Musculoskeletal System Overview

Overview

• Presented by Cathy from Level Up RN
• Playlist and flashcards available at LevelUpRN.com
• Intended for RN and PN students
• Focus on key facts and concepts for nursing school and practice

Anatomy and Physiology of the Musculoskeletal System

Key Functions

• Movement
• Structural support
• Protection of internal organs
• Blood cell production
• Storage of minerals

Components

• Bones (include cortex and spongy bone tissue)
  • Cortex: Dense, compact outer layer
  • Spongy bone: Inner layer containing bone marrow
    • Red bone marrow: Located in the upper epiphysis, source of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets
    • Yellow bone marrow: Located in the diaphysis, source of stem cells that become cartilage, fat, or bone
  • Metaphysis: Contains the epiphyseal plate (growth plate)
• Joints
  • Examples: Shoulder, knee (synovial joints)
  • Synovial joints: Freely movable, e.g., elbow, knee
    • Joint capsule: Surrounds the joint, made of fibrous connective tissue
    • Synovium: Lines the joint capsule, secretes synovial fluid for lubrication and shock absorption
    • Joint cavity: Fluid-filled, allows bone articulation
    • Articular cartilage: Covers bone surfaces, aids smooth movement, wear and tear can cause osteoarthritis
• Skeletal muscles
• Tendons: Attach muscles to bones
• Ligaments: Attach bones to bones (mnemonic: bones 'like' bones, L for likes and L for ligaments)

Bone Remodeling

• Continuous process involving:
  • Osteoblasts: Bone-forming cells (mnemonic: B for blast = bone building)
  • Osteoclasts: Bone-destroying cells

Minerals and Hormones Impacting Bone Growth

• Calcium and Phosphorus: Essential for bone formation
• Vitamin D: Necessary for calcium absorption
• Parathyroid Hormone (PTH): Increases blood calcium levels by mobilizing calcium from bones
• Calcitonin: Lowers blood calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity and decreasing calcium reabsorption in the kidneys (mnemonic: calcitonin tones down blood calcium levels)
• Growth Hormone: Stimulates bone formation by increasing osteoblast activity

Quiz to Test Knowledge

• Question 1: Blank attaches bones to other bones. Answer: Ligaments
• Question 2: Blank attaches muscles to bones. Answer: Tendons
• Question 3: Bone-forming cells are called blank. Answer: Osteoblasts
• Question 4: Bone-destroying cells are called blank. Answer: Osteoclasts

Conclusion

• Encouragement to leave comments for feedback
• Well wishes for studying