Anatomy & Physiology: Skeletal System Flashcards
Axial Skeleton
The bones of the skull, sternum, vertebral column, and ribcage.
Appendicular Skeleton
The bones of the upper and lower extremities and the associated girdles that connect the extremities to the vertebral column.
Bones
Component of the skeletal system, tightly bound together to form a strong yet flexible, framework.
Cartilage
Component of the skeletal system, tightly bound together to form strong, yet flexible, framework.
Ligament
Component of the skeletal system, tightly bound together to form strong, yet flexible, framework.
Compact Bone
The overall structure of bone consisting of an outer shell.
Spongy or Cancellous Bone
Bone tissue that is loosely organized within the compact bone.
Osteons
Cylindrical units that make up compact bone and contain a mineral matrix and living bone cells.
Haversian Canal
Located within each osteon and houses the bone’s blood vessels, and nerve fibers.
Periosteum
Fibrous membrane surrounding compact bone and consists of blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels that nourish the compact bone.
Epiphysis
Found at each end of the long bone. It consists primarily of spongy bone with a layer of compact bone. Bone growth occurs here.
Articular Cartilage
This covers the epiphysis. It decreases frictions at the joints.
Diaphysis
This is the longest part of the long bone. it consists primarily of compact bone.
Medullary Cavity
This is found inside the long bone. It is composed of red and yellow bone marrow.
Ossification
The process of bone formation that occurs first during embryonic development. This process transforms soft, flexible cartilage to hard bone.
Growth Plates
Found at the end of long bones, made of cartilage.
Bone Reabsorption
Mature bone tissue is constantly being broken down through this process.
Osteocytes
These are bone cells. They produce collagen and other substances that create the extracellular matrix of bone.
Osteoblasts
These are called bone-forming cells. They are found on the surface of bone and can be stimulated to differentiate into other types of bone cells called osteocytes.
Osteoclasts
These are called bone-resorbing cells. They are found on the surface of bone. They dissolve the bone.
