Providing form, stability, and movement to the human body, the musculoskeletal system consists of the body's bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and other connective tissue. Connective tissue supports and binds tissues and organs together. Its chief components are collagen and elastic fibers, which are made up of different proteins. The musculoskeletal system undergoes many changes as people age.
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Bone, Joint, and Muscle Disorders
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Biology of the Musculoskeletal System
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Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Diagnosis of Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Autoimmune Disorders of Connective Tissue
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Bone and Joint Infections
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Bone and Joint Tumors
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Foot Problems
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Gout and Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis
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Hand Disorders
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Joint Disorders
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Low Back and Neck Pain
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Muscle, Bursa, and Tendon Disorders
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Osteonecrosis
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Osteoporosis
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Paget Disease of Bone
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Vasculitic Disorders
Bone, Joint, and Muscle Disorders Sections (A-Z)
Autoimmune Disorders of Connective Tissue
In an autoimmune disorder, antibodies or cells produced by the body attack the body’s own tissues. Many autoimmune disorders affect connective tissue and a variety of organs. Connective tissue is the structural tissue that gives strength to joints, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels.
Biology of the Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system provides form, stability, and movement to the human body. It consists of the body's bones (which make up the skeleton), muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and other connective tissue. The term "connective tissue" is used to describe the tissue that supports and binds tissues and organs together. Its chief components are collagen and elastic fibers, which are composed of different proteins.
Bone and Joint Infections
Bone and Joint Tumors
Diagnosis of Musculoskeletal Disorders
The musculoskeletal system comprises bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and bursae (see Introduction to Biology of the Musculoskeletal System). Any of these components can be injured or affected by a number of disorders. Some disorders affect primarily the joints (such as osteoarthritis), causing arthritis. Other disorders affect primarily the bones (such as fractures, Paget disease of bone, and tumors) or muscles or other soft tissues (such as fibromyalgia and tendinitis). Different diagnostic tests are available to diagnose musculoskeletal disorders (see Tests for Musculoskeletal Disorders), but the most important elements of diagnosis are the doctor's medical history and physical examination.
Foot Problems
Gout and Calcium Pyrophosphate Arthritis
Hand Disorders
Hand and finger disorders include ganglia, deformities, disorders related to nerves or blood vessels, osteoarthritis, trigger finger, Kienböck disease, and infections.
Joint Disorders
Ankylosing spondylitis is a spondyloarthritis characterized by inflammation of the spine, large joints, and fingers and toes, resulting in stiffness and pain.
Low Back and Neck Pain
Low back pain and neck pain are among the most common reasons for health care visits. The pain usually results from problems with the musculoskeletal system—most notably the spine, including the bones of the spine (back bones, or vertebrae), disks, and the muscles and ligaments that support it. Occasionally, low back pain results from a disorder that does not involve the musculoskeletal system.
Muscle, Bursa, and Tendon Disorders
The muscles, bursae, tendons, and bones must be healthy and functioning correctly for the body to move normally. Muscles, which contract to produce movement, are connected to the bones by tendons. Bursae are flat sacs containing joint (synovial) fluid. They reduce friction in areas where skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments rub over bones. (See also Biology of the Musculoskeletal System.)
Osteonecrosis
Osteoporosis
Paget Disease of Bone
Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal symptoms are very common and may arise from joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bursas (see Introduction to the Biology of the Musculoskeletal System).
Vasculitic Disorders
Also of Interest
Test your knowledge
Blood tests are done to help diagnose or rule out which of the following as the cause of pain in a single joint?
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