162 Anatomy & Physiology Essentials Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Osteoarthritis Arthritis also takes a noninflammatory form as osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of articular cartilage. Onset of osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive roughening of the normally smooth joint cartilage, with the cartilage eventually completely wearing away. Pain, swelling, range-of-motion restriction, and stiffness are all symptoms, with the pain typically relieved by rest and the joint stiffness improved by activity. and painful form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in adults but occasionally occurs in children (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include inflam- mation and thickening of the synovial membranes and breakdown of the articular cartilage. The results are extremely limited joint motion and, in extreme cases, complete fusing of the articulating bones. Associated symptoms can include anemia, fatigue, and muscular atrophy. SECTION 5.6 REVIEW Mini-Glossary amenorrhea absence of a menstrual period in women of reproductive age anorexia nervosa condition characterized by body weight 15% or more below the minimal normal weight range, extreme fear of gaining weight, an unrealistic body image, and amenorrhea apophysis site at which a tendon attaches to bone arthritis a family of more than 100 common pathologies associated with aging characterized by joint inflammation accompanied by pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling bulimia nervosa condition characterized by a minimum of two eating binges a week for at least three months an associated feeling of lack of control use of self- induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, strict dieting, or exercise to prevent weight gain and an obsession with body image bursitis inflammation of one or more bursae dislocation injury that involves displacement of a bone from its joint socket female athlete triad combination of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis fracture any break or disruption of continuity in a bone osteoarthritis degenerative disease of the articular cartilage characterized by pain, swelling, range-of- motion restriction, and stiffness osteopenia condition characterized by reduced bone mass without the presence of a fracture osteoporosis condition in which bone mineralization and strength are so abnormally low that regular, daily activities can result in painful fractures rheumatoid arthritis autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks healthy joint tissues the most debilitating and painful form of arthritis sprain injury caused by abnormal motion of the articulating bones that result in overstretching or tearing of ligaments, tendons, or other connective tissues crossing a joint Review Questions 1. What is an avulsion? 2. At what point in a person’s life is osteochondrosis most likely to occur? 3. What is the most common symptom of osteoporosis? 4. Which joint in the skeleton is the most commonly sprained? 5. What happens to healthy joint tissue in a person with rheumatoid arthritis? 6. Explain how the remodeling of a bone and a stress fracture are related. 7. Why are females who participate in certain sports more vulnerable to the condition known as the female athlete triad? 8. A 17-year-old soccer player has sustained several fractures to different parts of her body. When her bone density was tested, she was found to be on the low end of the normal range. What would you suggest that she do to increase her bone strength?