Human Anatomy: Skeletal System Functions

Questions and Answers

How does the skeleton support the body?

Supports the body both inside and outside.

What is the function of a ligament?

Ligaments hold bones together.

What minerals are stored by bones?

Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium.

What blood cells are produced by red bone marrow?

RBC, WBC, and Platelets. Signup and view all the answers

What are the specialized cells found in cartilage?

Chondrocytes in lacunae. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of proteoglycans in cartilage?

Makes cartilage bendable and soft. Signup and view all the answers

What is a perichondrium?

Thin covering over the main body of the cartilage. Signup and view all the answers

Why is hyaline cartilage called articular cartilage?

Because it covers the ends of bones. Signup and view all the answers

What is appositional growth in cartilage?

On the outside. Signup and view all the answers

What is interstitial growth in cartilage?

Within the cells. Signup and view all the answers

Give examples of long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones.

Long bones include femur, humerus, tibia; short bones are carpals and tarsals; flat bones include sternum and scapula; irregular bones are vertebrae. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a bone diaphysis and a bone epiphysis?

The diaphysis is the middle section of a bone; the epiphysis refers to the ends of a bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an epiphyseal plate and an epiphyseal line?

The epiphyseal plate contains cartilage used for producing bone; the epiphyseal line is formed after the epiphyseal plate has stopped producing bone. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the medullary cavity and what is contained in it?

The medullary cavity is the cavity inside the diaphysis that contains yellow marrow. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the periosteum and what does it contain?

The periosteum is the covering of a bone; it contains nerves and blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What are Sharpey's fibers?

Sharpey's fibers attach the periosteum to the bone as well as serving as attachments for ligaments and tendons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of endosteum?

Endosteum lines the internal cavities of a bone. Signup and view all the answers

What substance makes up the organic portion of bone?

Collagen, contains carbon. Signup and view all the answers

What substance makes up the inorganic portion of bone?

Hydroxyapatite (calcium salts). Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of an osteoblast, osteocyte, and osteoclast?

Osteoblast - Bone building, Osteocyte - Bone maintenance, Osteoclast - Bone destroying (breakdown releases calcium). Signup and view all the answers

What are osteochondral progenitor cells?

Osteochondral progenitor cells are stem cells that can be used to form more bone cells if needed. Signup and view all the answers

When does an osteoblast become an osteocyte?

After mineral matter has surrounded it. Signup and view all the answers

What are canaliculi?

Inner connections between osteocytes. Signup and view all the answers

During what two conditions would woven bone be formed?

Fetal development and fracture repair. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a bone is remodeled?

Removing old bone material and adding new bone material. Signup and view all the answers

What property is given to bone by lamellae?

Strength. Signup and view all the answers

What are trabeculae?

The support structures of cancellous bone. Signup and view all the answers

How do trabeculae arrange in a bone?

Along the lines of stress. Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions would the trabeculae change orientation?

Stress lines change if a person gains weight or has a bone injury. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Haversian (central) canal?

Transport material into and out of bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the lamellae?

Layers of bone that form around the Haversian canal giving the bone strength. Signup and view all the answers

What are concentric lamellae?

Circle around the Haversian canal. Signup and view all the answers

What are interstitial lamellae?

Form between the Haversian systems. Signup and view all the answers

Define ossification.

Converting tissue into bone. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Skeleton Support and Functions

The skeleton provides internal and external support to the body.
Ligaments connect bones together, contributing to joint stability.

Mineral Storage in Bones

Bones store essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Blood Cell Production

Red bone marrow is responsible for producing blood cells, including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets.

Cartilage Structure

Chondrocytes are the specialized cells found within the lacunae of cartilage.
Proteoglycans in cartilage contribute to its flexibility, making it bendable and soft.

Cartilage Characteristics

The perichondrium is a thin layer covering the main body of cartilage.
Hyaline cartilage, known as articular cartilage, covers the ends of bones, providing cushioning at joints.

Growth Types in Cartilage

Appositional growth occurs on the external surface of cartilage.
Interstitial growth takes place within the cartilage cells.

Bone Classification

Long bones: examples include femur, humerus, and tibia.
Short bones: include carpals and tarsals.
Flat bones: examples are sternum and scapula.
Irregular bones: include vertebrae.

Bone Structure

The diaphysis is the central shaft of a bone.
The epiphysis refers to the ends of a bone.
The epiphyseal plate is made of cartilage for bone growth, while the epiphyseal line indicates cessation of growth.

Bone Cavity and Membrane

The medullary cavity is located within the diaphysis and contains yellow marrow.
The periosteum covers the external surface of bones and contains blood vessels and nerves.
Sharpey's fibers anchor the periosteum to the bone and connect to ligaments and tendons.

Bone Tissue and Cell Functions

Endosteum lines the internal bone cavities.
The organic portion of bone consists mainly of collagen, providing flexibility.
The inorganic component is primarily hydroxyapatite, comprised of calcium salts.
Osteoblasts build bone, osteocytes maintain bone, and osteoclasts break down bone tissue, releasing calcium.

Bone Development and Remodeling

Osteochondral progenitor cells are stem cells that form additional bone cells when needed.
Osteoblasts become osteocytes once encased in mineralized bone matrix.
Canaliculi facilitate communication between osteocytes.
Woven bone forms during fetal development and in fracture repair situations.
Bone remodeling involves the removal of old bone material and the addition of new bone material.

Strength and Structural Features of Bone

Lamellae provide bones with strength and stability.
Trabeculae are structural components of cancellous (spongy) bone, arranged along lines of stress.
Trabecular orientation may change with alterations in stress patterns, such as weight gain or bone injury.

Bone Canal Systems

The Haversian (central) canal serves as a pathway for transporting materials in and out of bone tissue.
Lamellae surround the Haversian canal, contributing to the strength of the bone.
Concentric lamellae encircle the Haversian canal, while interstitial lamellae are located between Haversian systems.

Ossification Process

Ossification is the process of converting tissue into bone, fundamental to the development and maintenance of the skeletal system.

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Description

Explore the vital functions of the human skeletal system with this quiz. From support and mineral storage to blood cell production and cartilage characteristics, test your knowledge on how bones and cartilage contribute to overall body function.