The core vocabulary of bones, muscles and joints — defined in clear English for healthcare learners.
Last updated: September 9, 2026
The musculoskeletal system gives the body structure and movement. This page defines the essential terms in plain English, from anatomy to common injuries and procedures.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Skeleton | The body’s framework of bones. |
| Tendon | Tough tissue that attaches muscle to bone. |
| Ligament | Tough tissue that connects bone to bone at a joint. |
| Cartilage | Smooth, flexible tissue that cushions the joints. |
| Joint | The place where two bones meet, allowing movement. |
| Vertebra | One of the bones of the spinal column. |
| Femur | The thigh bone, the longest bone in the body. |
| Sternum | The breastbone, at the front of the chest. |
| Bone marrow | The soft tissue inside bones that makes blood cells. |
| Fracture | A break in a bone. |
| Sprain | A stretch or tear of a ligament. |
| Strain | A stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon. |
| Dislocation | A bone forced out of its normal position in a joint. |
| Arthritis | Inflammation of a joint. |
| Osteoarthritis | "Wear-and-tear" joint disease caused by loss of cartilage. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | An autoimmune disease that inflames the joints. |
| Osteoporosis | Porous, fragile bones that are prone to fracture. |
| Osteomyelitis | Infection of a bone. |
| Myalgia | Muscle pain. |
| Atrophy | Wasting or shrinking of muscle. |
| Scoliosis | A sideways curvature of the spine. |
| Arthroscopy | A camera examination inside a joint. |
| Arthroplasty | Surgical repair or replacement of a joint. |
| Osteotomy | Surgical cutting of a bone. |
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Start learning free →These terms help students and healthcare workers describe bones, joints and muscles, and understand injuries, orthopedic conditions and procedures.
Yes. This vocabulary is core to US health programs — nursing school and NCLEX prep, pre-med, and medical assistant training. MediLearn lets you drill these terms with quizzes and flashcards using spaced repetition.
Smooth, flexible tissue that cushions the joints.
A bone forced out of its normal position in a joint.
Wasting or shrinking of muscle.