The skeletal system is composed of bone and cartilage and has many functions. Choose three of these functions and discuss what features of the skeletal system allow it to accomplish these functions.
What are the structural and functional differences between a tarsal and a metatarsal?
What are the structural and functional differences between the femur and the patella?
If the articular cartilage at the end of one of your long bones were to degenerate, what symptoms do you think you would experience? Why?
In what ways is the structural makeup of compact and spongy bone well suited to their respective functions?
In what ways do intramembranous and endochondral ossification differ?
Considering how a long bone develops, what are the similarities and differences between a primary and a secondary ossification center?
What is the difference between closed reduction and open reduction? In what type of fracture would closed reduction most likely occur? In what type of fracture would open reduction most likely occur?
In terms of origin and composition, what are the differences between an internal callus and an external callus?
If you were a dietician who had a young female patient with a family history of osteoporosis, what foods would you suggest she include in her diet? Why?
During the early years of space exploration our astronauts, who had been floating in space, would return to earth showing significant bone loss dependent on how long they were in space. Discuss how this might happen and what could be done to alleviate this condition.
An individual with very low levels of vitamin D presents themselves to you complaining of seemingly fragile bones. Explain how these might be connected.
Describe the effects caused when the parathyroid gland fails to respond to calcium bound to its receptors.