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Anatomy & Physiology: Bone Structure and Growth

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Terms in this set (29)

  • Articular cartilage

    Thin layer of cartilage covering an epiphysis; reduces friction and acts as a shock absorber.

  • Articulation

    Where two bone surfaces meet.

  • Bone

    Hard, dense connective tissue that forms the structural elements of the skeleton.

  • Canaliculi

    Channels within the bone matrix housing osteocyte cytoplasmic extensions for communication and nutrient exchange.

  • Cartilage

    Semi-rigid connective tissue found on the skeleton where flexibility and smooth surfaces support movement.

  • Central canal

    Longitudinal channel in the center of each osteon containing blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels; also called the Haversian canal.

  • Compact bone

    Dense osseous tissue that can withstand compressive forces.

  • Diaphysis

    Tubular shaft running between the proximal and distal ends of a long bone.

  • Diploë

    Layer of spongy bone sandwiched between two layers of compact bone in flat bones.

  • Endochondral ossification

    Process where bone forms by replacing hyaline cartilage.

  • Endosteum

    Delicate membranous lining of a bone’s medullary cavity.

  • Epiphyseal plate

    Sheet of hyaline cartilage in the metaphysis of an immature bone; replaced by bone tissue as the bone grows in length.

  • Epiphysis

    Wide section at each end of a long bone; filled with spongy bone and red marrow.

  • Fracture hematoma

    Blood clot that forms at the site of a broken bone.

  • Hematopoiesis

    Production of blood cells occurring in the red marrow of bones.

  • Intramembranous ossification

    Process by which bone forms directly from mesenchymal tissue.

  • Lacunae

    Spaces in bone that house osteocytes.

  • Long bone

    Cylinder-shaped bone longer than it is wide; functions as a lever.

  • Medullary cavity

    Hollow region of the diaphysis filled with yellow marrow.

  • Osteoblast

    Cell responsible for forming new bone.

  • Osteoclast

    Cell responsible for resorbing bone.

  • Osteocyte

    Primary cell in mature bone responsible for maintaining the matrix.

  • Osteogenic cell

    Undifferentiated bone cell with high mitotic activity; differentiates into osteoblasts.

  • Osteon

    Basic structural unit of compact bone made of concentric layers of calcified matrix.

  • Periosteum

    Fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of bone and continuous with ligaments.

  • Proliferative zone

    Region of the epiphyseal plate producing new chondrocytes for longitudinal growth.

  • Red marrow

    Connective tissue in bone interior where hematopoiesis takes place.

  • Spongy bone

    Trabeculated osseous tissue supporting shifts in weight distribution.

  • Yellow marrow

    Connective tissue in bone interior where fat is stored.