(DOC) Assignment on Anatomy and Physiology

Running head: Anatomy and Physiology 1 1
Anatomy and Physiology 1
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Anatomy and Physiology 1 2
Question 1
Regardless of the health of a person, aging has a direct effect on their joints mobility as a
result of changes occurring in the connective tissues and cartilage. As individual ages, the
amount of synovial fluid (lubricating fluid found within joints) decreases and the cartilage
becomes thinner making joint mobility stiffer and less flexible. Ligaments also become shorter
and tend to lose flexibility, become more brittle contributing also to the stiffness, (Keller &
Engelhardt, 2019). Collectively these changes reduce the joint range of movement as one age.
These changes are due to the inability of aged cells of a joint to maintain homeostasis and are at
high risk of damage. The gross changes include; a decrease of water content, increased stiffness,
and reduction of strength at joints.
As the musculoskeletal system within the joints wears out because of the aging process it
is associated with several clinical problems. They include; Osteoarthritis a chronic disorder due
to damaged cartilage and tissues within a joint, it is characterized by stiff, painful and immobile
joints (loss of function), (REF). Osteoporosis is also a common condition with the aged, often
with women. It is characterized by the ability of bone to break easily at joints, pain and reduced
movement, (Hubertsson et al., 2012).
Another age-related problem is rheumatoid arthritis. Elderly individuals are a risk to
infections due to impaired immunity. They are susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation
of joints lining by own immune system) that’s is characterized by painful swelling at joints and
deformity. Fractures are also common with aged individuals due to internal factors within joints
such as the joint becoming more brittle, (EM et al., 2017).