The Skeletal System (Bones) | Medical Terminology for Cancer
Medical Terminology for Cancer
6: The Skeletal System (Bones)
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Functions of the skeletal system
There are about 206 bones in the human body, they have the function of protecting and preserving the shape of soft tissues. The skeleton provides a framework for the muscles, it controls and directs internal pressure and provides stability anchoring points for other soft tissues. There are a wide variety of bones/bony tissues adapted for specific functions to aid locomotion and support, bones are moved by the skeletal muscles . In addition the skeletal system stores and produces blood cells in the bone marrow.
It is not the aim of this guide to catalogue each bone, but the following may be useful:
Thorax
the bones of the thorax (ribs, sternum and thoracic vertebrae) form a cage which protects many of the body's vital organs.
The Axial skeleton
This is the main body including the pelvis, thorax, and skull (excluding the arms and legs).
The Proximal skeleton
The femur and humerus (ie the bones proximal to the Axial skeleton)
The Distal skeleton
The lower legs (tibia, fibula, and feet bones) and lower arm (radius, ulna, and bones of the hand). The Proximal and Distal skeleton are sometimes collectively referred to as bones of the extremities.
The spine
The spine is divided into 5 main areas and each bone (verebrae) has a letter and number:
Cervical vetebrae C1 - C7
the neck region. C1 is the upper most vertebrae.
Thoracic vertabrae T1 - T12
vertebrae of the upper body (thorax)
Lumbar vertebrae L1 - L5
vertebrae of the lower back
Bones of the sacrum S1 - S5
vertebra within the pelvic girdle. These bones fuse together between ages 16 and 18.
The coccyx Co1 - Co4
The long shaft of the bone.
Epiphysis
The knob like end of the bone, often contains red marrow (blood cells).
Metaphysis
Region where the diaphysis joins the epiphysis, important in bone growth.
Medullary
Marrow cavity inside the bone. Contains yellow marrow (fat cells).
Foramina
Tiny canals in the bone through which blood and lymph vessels connect to the medullary.
Cartilage
Tough connective tissue covering the ends of the bone. The cartilage reduce friction and acts as a shock absorber.
Ligament
Fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilage to strengthen and support joints.
The end of the bones are often refered to by the Proximal end (towards the main body) or the Distal end (away from the main body), e.g. the proximal femur is the top end of the thigh bone.
Compact bone is dense and hard, especially the outer layer of the bone
Spongy bone
Made up of a lattice work of bone, the spaces are filled with red marrow which produce blood cells.
Classification of bones by shape:
Long bones
Slightly curved for STRENGTH with long narrow shafts with knobbly ends (especially found in arms and legs e.g. femur).
Short bones
Tend to be spongy e.g. wrists, fingers, toes and ankles.
Flat bones
Plate like and highly PROTECTIVE  e.g. bones of the skull protect the brain.
Irregular  bones
Bones and growth
Ossification is the gradual conversion of cartilage or other tissue into bone. At birth ossification is not complete, there are still may membrane filled spaces in the skull, these are called fontanels or "soft spots". Most bone growth occurs during childhood, and ossification of most bones is usually complete by age 25. The 5 bones of the sacrum fuse together from ages 18 to 25. When all bone growth is complete the body is said to be skeletally mature.
Roots, suffixes, and prefixes
Most medical terms are comprised of a root word plus a suffix (word ending) and/or a prefix (beginning of the word). Here are some examples related to the Skeletal System. For more details see Chapter 4: Understanding the Components of Medical Terminology
component
arthritis = inflammation of the bone
CHONDR-
costalgia = pain in the ribs
OSTEO-
osteosarcoma = a type of bone tumour
SCOLIO-
scoliosis = curvature of the spine
-LYSIS
osteomyelitis = inflammation of the bone
-OSIS
osteoporosis = reduced bone mass-fracture prone
-TOMY
Osteogenic Sarcoma
Osteogenic Sarcoma (osteosarcoma) is a bone forming cancer. It is the most frequent type of bone tumour and is most common between the ages of 15 to 25. Over 90% of tumours are located in the metaphysis (the growing ends of the bone), the most common sites  are the long bones of the legs. Most tumours are solitary, around 2% are multifocal (2 or more bones). It is known that osteosarcoma can be radiation induced. Osteosarcomas vary greatly in radiological and pathological features and therefore needs careful  diagnosis to differentiate this from other bone tumours. Most are high grade intramedullary osteosarcomas, about 5% are low grade lesions, some are secondary osteosarcomas (for example those caused by radiation therapy).
Ewing's Sarcoma
Ewing's sarcoma is most common in children and young adults. The most frequent sites are the pelvis, femur, tibia, and fibula, around a fifth of patients have metastases at diagnosis usually in the lungs or other other bones. Ewing's tumours are more  frequently found in the diaphysis (mid-shaft) part of the bone. Ewing's sarcoma can sometimes be restricted to soft tissue (Extraosseos Ewing's sarcoma). There is a spectrum of pathology ranging from 'classical' Ewing's which are negative for neural  markers; to PNET (peripheral neuroectodermal tumours) which are strongly positive.
Chrondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma is a cancer arising in cartilage cells, it occurs mostly in adults, it is rare in those aged under 20 with 70% of cases occurring between ages 50-75. Rare sub-types include  mesenchymal chondrosarcoma which is more common in those aged under 40; Clear cell chondrosarcoma (around 2% of cases); and Dedifferenting chondrosarcoma (a rare tumour which transforms from low grade to a high grade sarcoma).
Other Primary Bone Tumours
Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (MFH) account for 10% of bone tumours, they arise from histiocytes that have fibroblastic potential.
Chondoma is rare occurring mostly between ages 30 -70. This is a low grade malignancy which is arises from the remnants of the notochord (cells in the embryo which cause the formation of cartilage).
Fibrosarcoma and desmoid tumours vary in malignant potential.
Giant cell tumours some are benign, others may be malignant e.g. giant cell osteosarcoma, giant cell fibrosarcoma.
Neurogenious tumours of bone These include neuroepithelioma and malignant schwannoma.
Intraosseous liposarcoma is very rare. Liposarcoma arises from fat cells, these tumours are common in muscle but in rare cases are found in bone. Similarly extraosseous osteosarcoma (osteosarcoma found in soft tissue) is very rare with  less than 300 cases reported world wide.
Bone sarcomas associated with Paget's disease
Paget's disease is the most common bone disorder characterised by irregular thickening and softening of the bones. The disease is more common after the age of 40, and is frequent in those of European descent but rare in Asians. These is an association with  this (non malignant) disease and bone cancer, up to 10% of those with Paget's disease will have a 'sarcomatous transformation' of affected bones giving rise to bone sarcoma. This may be osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, or other bone sarcomas.