Support, protection, leverage for movement, mineral storage and blood-cell formation.
Osteoblasts build bone matrix, osteoclasts resorb bone and osteocytes maintain mature bone. Compact bone is dense cortical tissue; spongy/cancellous bone contains trabeculae.
Diaphysis, epiphyses, metaphyses, articular cartilage, periosteum, endosteum and medullary cavity are high-yield terms. Red marrow supports hematopoiesis; yellow marrow contains more fat.
Endochondral ossification forms much of the skeleton from cartilage models. Fracture healing progresses through hematoma/inflammation, soft and hard callus formation and remodeling. Do not aggressively load an unhealed fracture.
Skull, vertebral column, ribs and sternum. Adult vertebral regions: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, sacrum and coccyx. Atlas=C1; axis=C2.
Pectoral girdles and upper limbs plus pelvic girdle and lower limbs. Know scapula, clavicle, humerus, radius, ulna, carpals/metacarpals/phalanges, pelvis, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals/metatarsals/phalanges.
Process/tubercle/tuberosity/crest/spine commonly indicate projections or attachment sites. Fossa is a depression; foramen an opening; condyle a rounded articular prominence.
Osteoporosis: reduced bone strength increases fracture risk, so force and positioning may require modification. Osteoarthritis: degenerative joint disease with variable pain/stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis: systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease; avoid aggressive work over acutely inflamed joints.
Be able to identify the major structures, state their functions, connect the system to relevant pathology and explain how the information changes massage safety or treatment planning.