Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of bones in the skeletal system?
Bones form the rigid framework of the body.
What is the difference between compact bone and spongy bone?
Compact bone is rigid, white, and smooth, while spongy bone is porous and appears internal to compact bone.
What is the main characteristic of cartilage that distinguishes it from bone?
Cartilage is semirigid and more flexible than bone.
What is the function of hyaline cartilage in the skeletal system?
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What is the specific function of fibrocartilage?
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What is the approximate percentage of total bone mass made up of compact bone?
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What is the name of the cartilage that connects ribs to the sternum?
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What is the term for the cartilage plates found in the knee joints?
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Study Notes
Introduction to the Skeletal System
- The skeletal system consists of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and other connective tissues that stabilize or connect the bones.
- Bones of the skeleton are the primary organs of the skeletal system, forming the rigid framework of the body and performing other functions.
Types of Bone Connective Tissue
- There are two types of bone connective tissue: compact bone and spongy bone.
- Compact bone (dense or cortical bone) is a relatively rigid connective tissue that appears white, smooth, and solid, making up approximately 80% of the total bone mass.
- Spongy bone (cancellous or trabecular bone) is located internal to compact bone, appears porous, and makes up approximately 20% of the total bone mass.
Cartilage
- Cartilage is a semirigid connective tissue that is more flexible than bone and lacks a blood supply (avascular).
- There are three subtypes of cartilage, with two associated with the skeletal system: hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage.
- Hyaline cartilage:
- Attaches ribs to the sternum (costal cartilage).
- Covers the ends of some bones (articular cartilage).
- Is found in growth plates (epiphyseal plates).
- Provides a model during development for the formation of the fetal skeleton.
- Fibrocartilage:
- Is a weight-bearing cartilage that withstands compression.
- Forms the intervertebral discs, the pubic symphysis (cartilage between bones of the pelvis), and the cartilage pads of the knee joints (menisci).
Other Connective Tissue Structures
- Ligaments are dense regular connective tissue that anchors bone to bone.
- Tendons are dense regular connective tissue that connects muscle to bone.
- Other connective tissue structures associated with the skeletal system are described in section 9.4a.
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Description
Learn about the components of the skeletal system, including bones, cartilage, and connective tissues. Compare compact and spongy bone, and identify types and locations of cartilage.
