Human Osteology - Trail #1

Bone structure and vocab

Proximal Epiphysis

The end part of a long bone that is closest to the body’s center.

Diaphysis

The shaft or central part of a long bone

Distal Epiphysis

The end part of a long bone farthest away from the body’s center

Epiphyseal Line

Thin, bony structure that marks the boundary between epiphysis and diaphysis

Spongy Bone

Type of bone tissue, mesh-like network of trabeculae, helps to make bones lighter

Nutrient Artery

Hole in the bone, brings red blood cells in and out of bones (also called foramen)

Medullary Cavity

Hollow central space in shaft of long bone, Rigid tube with a hollow chamber, stores bone marrow, lined with endosteum

Endosteum

Delicate membrane lining internal surfaces of bones (medullary cavity)

Compact Bone (Cortical Bone)

Wall of Diaphysis, solid, strong, adds weight, mostly on outside of bone

Yellow Marrow

Replaces red as person ages; fat storage tissue; inactive in blood cell production

Periosteum

What bones are covered in (it is alive!), protects, aids in repair, 1st line of defense

Woven Bone

Immature, mechanically weak bone tissue found during fetal development, fracture repair, and in some bone diseases and tumors

Lamellar Bone

Mature, most abundant type of bone in the adult human skeleton, layered + parallel collagen fibers, provides strength/stiffness

Haversian Canal (Secondary Osteons)

Freely anatomizing canals in compact bone, contain blood + lymph vessels, nerves, + marrow

Collagen

Fibrous structural protein constituting ~90% of bone’s organic content

Fossa

A shallow depression or hollow

Ectocranial

Relating to the exterior or outer surface of the skull

Endocranial

The inner surface of the skull, or the cranial cavity