Bone Terminology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the diaphysis?

Main shaft of a long bone; hollow, cylindrical shape, thick, compact bone.

What are epiphyses?

Both ends of a long bone made of cancellous bone filled with red marrow.

What is the function of articular cartilage?

Cushion joints and blows, providing a smooth surface for less friction.

What is the periosteum?

A dense white fibrous membrane that covers bone and contains cells that form and destroy bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the medullary cavity?

Tubelike, hollow space in the diaphysis filled with yellow marrow in adults. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the endosteum?

It is a thin epithelial membrane that lines the medullary cavity of long bones. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes short, flat, and irregular bones?

Their inner portion is cancellous bone, covered with compact bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is bone tissue?

The most distinctive connective tissue with hard and calcified extracellular components. Signup and view all the answers

What is compact bone?

Dense bone having only small spaces for osteocytes. Signup and view all the answers

What is spongy bone?

Porous bone filled with red marrow that produces blood cells. Signup and view all the answers

What do yellow and red marrow consist of?

Red and white blood cells in red marrow; yellow marrow is yellow because of fat cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are osteons?

Cylindrical structures of compact bone tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What is an osteocyte?

A bone cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of osteoblasts?

Cells that reshape and build bone. Signup and view all the answers

What do osteoclasts do?

Cells that tear down bone. Signup and view all the answers

What makes up the axial skeleton?

Skull, vertebrae, ribs, and sternum. Signup and view all the answers

What is the appendicular skeleton?

Everything other than the axial skeleton. Signup and view all the answers

What are epiphyseal plates?

Growth plates. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the difference between endochondral and intramembranous ossification.

Intramembranous forms flat bones of the skull, while endochondral forms most other bones in the body. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Diaphysis

The diaphysis is the main shaft of a long bone, characterized by a hollow, cylindrical shape.
Composed of thick, compact bone that provides strong support without excessive weight.

Epiphyses

Epiphyses refer to the bulbous ends of long bones, formed from cancellous bone filled with red marrow.
These ends are crucial for muscle attachment and contribute to joint stability.

Articular Cartilage

This layer of hyaline cartilage covers the articular surfaces of the epiphyses.
Functions to cushion joints, absorb shocks, and reduce friction due to its smooth surface.

Periosteum

A dense, white fibrous membrane that envelops the bone's surface.
It firmly attaches tendons, holds cells for bone formation and resorption, and contains blood vessels.
Plays a significant role in bone growth, repair, and cell survival.

Medullary (Marrow) Cavity

A tubular, hollow space located within the diaphysis.
In adults, it contains yellow marrow, while in children, it is filled with red marrow.

Endosteum

A thin epithelial membrane lining the medullary cavity of long bones.

Short, Flat, and Irregular Bones

These bones feature an inner portion of cancellous bone, covered externally by compact bone.
The interior of certain irregular and flat bones is filled with red marrow.

Bone Tissue

Recognized as the most distinctive connective tissue, with hard and calcified extracellular components.
Provides rigidity for support and protection, possessing tensile strength comparable to cast iron but is significantly lighter.

Compact Bone

A dense type of bone tissue with minimal spaces, primarily composed of osteocytes.
Forms the majority of the human skeleton.

Spongy Bone

Porous bone containing red marrow that plays a role in blood cell production.
Typically found within long bones.

Yellow and Red Marrow

Red marrow is involved in the production of red and white blood cells, while yellow marrow contains fat cells.

Osteons

Cylindrical structures that organize compact bone tissue.

Osteocytes

Specialized bone cells that play a role in maintaining bone tissue.

Osteoblasts

Cells responsible for reshaping and building new bone.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down and resorb bone tissue.

Axial Skeleton

Comprises the skull, vertebrae, ribs, and sternum.

Appendicular Skeleton

Includes all bones other than those in the axial skeleton.

Epiphyseal Plates

Also known as growth plates, are areas of growing tissue near the ends of long bones.

Endochondral vs. Intramembranous

Intramembranous ossification forms flat bones of the skull, while endochondral ossification is responsible for forming most other bones in the body.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the essential terms related to the structure of long bones with this flashcard quiz. Learn about the diaphysis, epiphyses, and their functions in providing support and stability. Ideal for students studying anatomy or related fields.