Copyright 2010
Definition
The musculoskeletal system is composed of the body’s bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilages.
It is characterised by its functions which include support, protection, movement, reservoir for minerals and adipose tissue, and for its hematopooietic function.
The bones are structurally charcterized by their hard and resilient structure. The muscles are characterised by soft and contractile nature. The ligaments and tendons by their tensile and resilient nature, and the cartilage by their smooth and “shock absorbing” characteristics.
The most common diseases are traumatic in nature including fractures, strains, dislocations and wear and tear. Inflammatory disease and arthitis are also relatively common.
Diagnosis is guided by clinical evaluation and confirmed by plain X-ray examination, CT scanning, MRI and radioisotope studies.
Treatment is often surgical but for the inflammatory diseases medical therapy is commonly used as well.
References
Richardson, Michael L. M.D.
Approaches To Differential Diagnosis In Musculoskeletal Imaging
University of Washington