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6A-LE3 - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is skeletal cartilage primarily composed of?

    Skeletal cartilage is made of highly resilient cartilage tissue that consists primarily of water and contains no blood vessels or nerves.

  • What is the function of the perichondrium?

    The perichondrium is a dense connective tissue layer surrounding cartilage that resists outward expansion and provides blood vessels for nutrient delivery.

  • Name the three types of cartilage and one key feature of each.
    • Hyaline cartilage: Most abundant, contains only collagen fibers.
    • Elastic cartilage: Contains elastic fibers, found in external ear and epiglottis.
    • Fibrocartilage: Thick collagen fibers, great tensile strength, found in menisci and vertebral discs.
  • What are the two ways cartilage grows?
    • Appositional growth: New matrix laid on cartilage surface, increasing length.
    • Interstitial growth: Chondrocytes divide within lacunae, secreting new matrix, increasing thickness.
  • List the seven essential functions of bones.
    1. Support
    2. Protection
    3. Movement
    4. Mineral and growth factor storage
    5. Blood cell formation (hematopoiesis)
    6. Triglyceride (fat) storage
    7. Hormone production (osteocalcin)
  • How is the human skeleton classified?

    Divided into axial skeleton (skull, vertebral column, rib cage) and appendicular skeleton (limbs and girdles).

  • What are the four classifications of bones by shape?
    • Long bones: Longer than wide, limb bones.
    • Short bones: Cube-shaped, e.g., wrist and ankle.
    • Flat bones: Thin, flat, slightly curved, e.g., sternum.
    • Irregular bones: Complicated shapes, e.g., vertebrae.
  • What are the two main types of bone tissue seen in gross anatomy?

    Compact bone: Dense outer layer, smooth and solid.
    Spongy bone: Honeycomb of trabeculae with spaces filled with marrow.

  • Describe the structure of a typical long bone.
    • Diaphysis: Shaft with compact bone surrounding medullary cavity.
    • Epiphyses: Ends with compact bone outside, spongy inside, covered by articular cartilage.
    • Epiphyseal line: Remnant of growth plate.
  • What are the two bone membranes and their functions?
    • Periosteum: Double-layered membrane covering external bone surfaces except joints; contains osteogenic cells, nerves, and blood vessels.
    • Endosteum: Delicate membrane covering internal bone surfaces and trabeculae; contains osteogenic cells.
  • Where is red marrow found and what is its function?

    Red marrow is found in trabecular cavities of spongy bone and flat bone diploë; it is the site of hematopoiesis (blood cell formation).

  • What are the three types of bone markings?
    • Projections: Sites of muscle and ligament attachment.
    • Depressions: Grooves or indentations for vessels or joints.
    • Openings: Holes or canals for blood vessels and nerves.
  • Define osteogenic cells and their role.

    Osteogenic cells are mitotically active stem cells in periosteum and endosteum that differentiate into osteoblasts or bone-lining cells.

  • What is the function of osteoblasts?

    Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that secrete unmineralized bone matrix called osteoid.

  • Describe osteocytes and their function.

    Osteocytes are mature bone cells in lacunae that maintain bone matrix and act as stress/strain sensors.

  • What are osteoclasts and their function?

    Osteoclasts are large multinucleate cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells that resorb bone.

  • What is an osteon and its components?

    An osteon is the structural unit of compact bone, consisting of concentric lamellae around a central (Haversian) canal containing blood vessels and nerves.

  • What are canaliculi and their role in bone?

    Canaliculi are tiny canals connecting lacunae and the central canal, allowing nutrient and waste exchange between osteocytes.

  • What is the chemical composition of bone matrix?
    • Organic components: Cells and osteoid (collagen and ground substance) providing flexibility.
    • Inorganic components: Hydroxyapatites (calcium phosphate crystals) providing hardness and resistance to compression.
  • How does bone resist mechanical stress?

    Bone collagen fibers run in different directions in lamellae, and sacrificial bonds in collagen dissipate energy to prevent fractures.