Bones Flashcards
What is osteology?
Study of bones
Briefly describe the bones of the body. [Bone facts]
- Bone is the hardest structure of the body with the exception of the teeth
- It is composed of fibrous connective tissue firmly bound together
- The physical formation of the body is composed of different shaped bones united by both moveable and immoveable bones
List the functions of the bones [general]
- To give shape and strength to the body
- Maintain growth
- To support and protect vital organs
- Main storage of phosphorous and calcium, magnesium and sodium
- Produce white and red blood cells
- in most areas, they maintain muscles in position
- Produce movement because of muscle attachment
-Acid base balance. Bone tissue buffers the blood against excessive pH changes by absorbing or releasing alkaline salts

Describe cartilage
- It is dense connective tissue abundant in collagen and elastic fibres
- It is very elastic and flexible
- used to cushion the bones and joints and helps prevent fractures
- The difference between cartilage and bone tissue is that cartilage cannot repair itself
Describe joints
- The connection of two bones (where two bones articulate)
- consisting of cartilage and connective tissue
Describe immovable joints
They are connected by interlocking. e.g sutured areas of the cranium.
Where is the parietal bone located?
Where is the occipital bone located?
Where is the temporal bone located?
Where is the zygomatic process located?
Where is the mastoid process located?
Where is the mandible?
Where is the maxilla?
Where is the zygomatic bone?
Where is the nasal bone?
Where is the frontal bone?
Where is the mandible? Bones of the neck.
Where is the mastoid process?
Where is the hyoid bone?
- The hyoid bone does not articulate with any other bone.
- It is suspended by ligaments from the styloid processes of the temporal bones -serves as a site of attachment for tongue and throat muscles.
- The hyoid bone is often fractured and incidence of strangulation and is, therefore, carefully examined during an autopsy in which strangulation is suspected.
Where is the thyroid bone? Thyroid cartilage.
The thyroid cartilage is the largest of the nine laryngeal cartilages.
- The two main plates of this cartilage are fused in front to form a laryngeal prominence [Adam’s apple], which is more pronounced in males and females after puberty.
- This cartilage can become fractured as a result of blows received during boxing karate or compression by a shoulder strap during a car accident. The protective guards hanging from ice hockey goalie masks offer protection against this type of injury.
Where is body of hyoid?
Where is the lesser and greater cornu?
