Skeletal System - Research Paper Example

Skeletal System Instructions: Answer each of the questions below using information gathered from your readings, lectures, and outside research. You should provide at least a paragraph response for each of the questions. 1. A student driver was training for the first time with the instructor in the passenger seat. While driving through an intersection, another car went through the red light and struck the driver's training car. Based on your understanding of the functions of bone, consider the different potential injuries that can occur and list at least four functions and provide examples of how the body was able to respond to or address the physical trauma from the collision. 2. Differentiate between the processes of bone growth by length and width. 3. After a recent visit to her doctor, Gina was told that she has early signs of osteoporosis.

The doctor recommended she participate in low impact exercises to strengthen her bones. Based on your reading, define osteoporosis and explain how low impact exercises will improve Gina's bone density and strength. 4. Explain the function of bone marrow and its importance in individuals with blood loss or decreased efficiency. 5. George is going in for laser treatment to his lower back. George has been experiencing pain running down his right leg for the past few weeks and has forced him to stay home from work for the past week.

He hurt his back when he twisted and bent to the side to pick up some heavy lumber. Based on the case information, describe the injury that George sustained and the structures involved. 1. In cases such as car crashed, potential injuries that are likely to occur include back injury, knee damage, whiplash, brain and head trauma, broken or fractured ribs and spinal cord injury. In cases such as car crashes, the body is most probable to suffer trauma (Caldwell D.S., 2011). Trauma varies in intensity, ranging from serious burns or traffic accidents (Hall J et al 1995).

Four major organ systems, the nervous system, the endocrine organs, the cardiovascular system, and an acute phase reaction involving the liver are involved in trauma response. In cases of trauma, the wounded person becomes alert, opium-like substances are released to decrease pain, blood glucose levels rise, the heart and respiratory rates quicken, and the basal metabolic rate speeds up. 2. The length of a bone grows by adding bone tissues at the joint of the bone along the length. At the joint (epiphyseal plate), chondrocytes first produce hyaline cartilage.

The condrocytes produce cartilage on one side of the plate and extend the end of the bone up. However in bone width growth, there is the removal of tissue from the endosteal side of the bone and addition of tissue to the periosteal side of it. The bone at the periosteal side is added by osteoblasts whereas bones removed from the endosteal are done by the osteoclasts. 3. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle, leading to a higher risk of fractures; that is breaks or cracks than in normal bone.

In Gina’s case, Low impact exercises such as biking, walking and swimming is required for her osteoporosis and to improve her strength because it does not create too much stress to increase bone mass. ‘Plus by exercising, you strengthen your muscles and stronger muscles also help protect your bones’ (Lindsay et al 2008). To increase bone density, 'A regimen of eight to 10 weight bearing and resistance exercises with 8-12 repetitions per set is recommended.' (Body Sculpting, 2011) 4. 'Bone marrow is a soft fatty tissue found inside of the body's bones - such as the sternum (middle of the chest), pelvis (hip bone), and femur (thigh bone)' (Lab Test Online, 2010).

The marrow contains fibrous tissue which supports the large undifferentiated cells known as stem cells. These stem cells differentiate to become white blood cell, red blood cell or platelet. Because of the function of the marrow to support the stem cells, which becomes the various blood cells, deficiency of the marrow or any abnormality or disease to it hinders the production of stem cells thereby leading to a break in formation of blood cells; a situation that causes blood loss or decreased efficiency of the blood. 5. Lifting a heavy object from one side and twisting your back to place it on the other can be a bad maneuver (Pollick, 2002).

In George’s case, he is likely to have caused injury to the spine and paraspinal muscles. This because according to Salamakha (2011), injury to the spine will result in leg pain or paralysis of the legs whereas injury to the paraspinal muscles will cause back pain which may be disabling for many months or years. The pain in his right leg is therefore attributed to injury to the spine whereas pain in his back is attributed to injury to his paraspinal muscles. Important Notice: Please if you are pleased with my work, I encourage you to give a positive feedback to Admin about me.

This will help me improve my efforts for you and other customers I work for in the future. Thanks for your concern. REFERENCE LIST Body Sculpting (2011). Osteoporosis and your Bones. retrieved on 31st January, 2011 from http://www.flexcity.com/bodysculpting/osteoporosis.asp Caldwell D.S., (2011). Common Car Crash Injuries. Retrieved on 1st February, 2011 from http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_S_Caldwell Free Advice Online Journal (2011). Personal Injury - Types of Bone Injury. Retrieved on 31st January, 2011 from http://injury-law.

freeadvice.com/injury-law/bone-injury.htm Hall J et al., (2006). Trauma and Wound Healing - Improving Healing with Nutrition. Life Extension Online Magazine. Retrieved on 31st January, 2011 from http://www.lef.org/protocols/health_concerns/trauma_01.htm Lab Test Online (2010). Bone Marrow Disorders. Retrieved on 31st January, 2011 from http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/bone_marrow_disorders.html Lindsay R, et al. Osteoporosis. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008.

http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2903484. Accessed Aug. 18, 2010. Osteoporosis Australia Online Magazine (2007). What is Osteoporosis. Retrieved on 31st January, 2011 from http://www.osteoporosis.org.au/osteo_osteoporosis.php Pollick M., (2002) Back injury prevention: activities to avoid for weak backs. Pagewise. retrieved on 1st February, 2011 from http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/backinjuriesin_sehs.htm