A Case Study on Bone Tissue Structure and Repair

Mrs. Debbie Morgan is a 45-year-old female who works as a stocking clerk for a local home
improvement store. While she was at work today a large box of metal rivets fell from a 20-ft.-
high overhead shelf, striking her outstretched arm and knocking her to the ground. The
ambulance personnel reported that she had lost quite a bit of blood at the accident scene and was
“knocked out” when they arrived. To minimize further hemorrhage, the paramedics applied a
pressure bandage to her arm.
You meet the paramedics as they bring Mrs. Morgan into the emergency room and begin to
assess her for injuries. She is awake and alert, but complaining of severe left arm and back pain,
plus she has a “killer headache.” To fully examine her injuries you remove four blood-soaked
bandages from her arm. You notice a large open wound on her arm with what appears to be bone
tissue sticking out of the skin. She also has bruises covering her left shoulder, left wrist, and
lower back. To determine the extent of her injuries Mrs. Morgan undergoes several x-rays, which
reveal the following:
1) fracture of the left humerus at the proximal diaphysis,
2) depressed fracture of the occipital bone,
3) fracture of the 3rd lumbar vertebral body.
Short Answer Questions

  1. Define the following terms, used in the case and also in associated questions:
    a. hemorrhage
    b. fracture
    c. proximal
    d. diaphysis
  2. One way bones are classified is by their shape. How would you classify the bones fractured
    by Mrs. Morgan?
  3. The body of Mrs. Morgan’s vertebra is fractured. What type of bone tissue makes up the
    majority of the vertebral body? Describe the structure and function of this type of bone.
  4. The diaphysis of Mrs. Morgan’s humerus is fractured. What type of bone makes up the
    majority of the diaphysis of long bones like the humerus? Describe the layers of bone tissue
    found here.
  5. Most connective tissue, including bone, is highly vascular. Which anatomical structures in
    Mrs. Morgan’s compact bone house blood vessels? What sign or symptom in Mrs. Morgan’s
    case is directly related to disruption of these structures by her bone fractures? How is the sign
    or symptom related to these anatomical structures?

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Sample Answer

 

 

Glossary of Terms:

  • Hemorrhage: The escape of blood from the circulatory system.
  • Fracture: A break in a bone.
  • Proximal: Situated nearer to the center of the body or to the root of a structure.
  • Diaphysis: The shaft of a long bone.

Full Answer Section

 

 

 

Classification of Fractured Bones:

  • Long bones: The bones of the arms and legs.
  • Short bones: The bones of the wrists, ankles, and kneecaps.
  • Flat bones: The bones of the skull, ribs, and pelvis.
  • Irregular bones: The bones of the spine, vertebrae, and sternum.

Based on the information provided in the case, the bones fractured by Mrs. Morgan are:

  • Left humerus: A long bone in the upper arm.
  • Occipital bone: A flat bone at the back of the skull.
  • 3rd lumbar vertebral body: A short bone in the lower spine.

Hemorrhage:

Hemorrhage can be internal or external. Internal hemorrhage occurs when blood leaks from the circulatory system into the surrounding tissues or body cavities. External hemorrhage occurs when blood escapes from the body through an open wound.

The severity of a hemorrhage depends on the size and location of the blood vessel that is damaged, as well as the amount of blood that is lost. A small hemorrhage may not be serious, but a large hemorrhage can be life-threatening.

Fracture:

A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures can be caused by trauma, such as a fall or a car accident, or by diseases that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis.

The severity of a fracture depends on the type of fracture, the location of the fracture, and the severity of the injury. Some fractures are minor and heal on their own, while others are more serious and require surgery.

Proximal:

Proximal means closer to the center of the body or to the root of a structure. For example, the proximal end of the humerus is the end that is closer to the shoulder joint.

Diaphysis:

The diaphysis is the shaft of a long bone. It is the longest and largest part of the bone.

Classification of Fractured Bones:

Bones can be classified by their shape. The four main types of bones are long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones.

  • Long bones: Long bones are the longest bones in the body. They are found in the arms and legs.
  • Short bones: Short bones are cube-shaped bones. They are found in the wrists, ankles, and kneecaps.
  • Flat bones: Flat bones are thin, plate-like bones. They are found in the skull, ribs, and pelvis.
  • Irregular bones: Irregular bones are bones that do not fit into any of the other categories. They are found in the spine, vertebrae, and sternum.

Based on their shape, the bones fractured by Mrs. Morgan are:

  • Left humerus: Long bone
  • Occipital bone: Flat bone
  • 3rd lumbar vertebral body: Short bone

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

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