Anatomy & Physiology 2025 Science Olympiad

Cartilage

A connective tissue that is more flexible than bone and that protects the ends of bones and keeps them from rubbing together.

hyaline cartilage

The most abundant cartilage type in the body; provides firm support with some pliability

elastic cartilage

cartilage with abundant elastic fibers; more flexible than hyaline cartilage

fibrocartilage

cartilage that contains fibrous bundles of collagen, such as that of the intervertebral disks in the spinal cord.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

is a brain imaging technique that detects magnetic changes in the brain's blood flow patterns.

CT scan (computed tomography)

a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body

x-ray

radiology

Hormones

Chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another

Homeostatic imbalances

disturbances in homeostasis can lead to disease or death if uncorrected

insertion (muscles)

bony attachment to mobile end of muscle

point of origin

end of skeletal muscle attached to a fixed structure

Cross section

a diagram that shows what the inside of something looks like

Motion

An object's change in position relative to a reference point.

Spine (Humans)

S-shaped and upright.

Osteoporosis

A condition in which the body's bones become weak and break easily.

Osteoarthritis

degenerative joint disease

osteons

Cylindrical structures that comprise compact bone

haversian canal

Channels in bone that contain blood vessels and nerves

Volkmann's canals

channels lying at right angles to the central canal, connecting blood and nerve supply of the periosteum to that of the Haversian canal

Periosteum

A dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones (except at their extremities) and serving as an attachment for tendons and muscles.

metaphysis

growth zone between the epiphysis and the diaphysis during development of a long bone

Epiphyseal line

remnant of the epiphyseal plate, seen in adult bones

Diaphysis

shaft of a long bone

Epiphyses

proximal and distal ends of the bone

Endosteum

membranous lining of the hollow cavity of the bone

Osteogenic cells

stem cells that differentiate into osteoblasts

Medullary cavity

cavity within the shaft of the long bones filled with bone marrow

Sharpey's fibers

secure periosteum to underlying bone

fibrous layer of periosteum

outer layer consisting of dense irregular connective tissue consisting of Sharpey's fibers that secure to bone matrix

Irregular connective tissue

fibers in all different directions

spongy bone

Layer of bone tissue having many small spaces and found just inside the layer of compact bone.

Trabeculae

supporting bundles of bony fibers in cancellous (spongy) bone

articular cartilage

covers the surfaces of bones where they come together to form joints

red bone marrow

found in cancellous bone; site of hematopoiesis (red blood cell creation)

Hematopoiesis

blood cell formation

triglycerides

a type of lipid found in fat cells that stores excess energy for long-term use

osteocalcin

a calcium-binding protein in bones, essential for normal mineralization

Mineralization

the process of breaking down organic compounds into inorganic compounds

Inorganic compounds

Compounds that do not contain carbon

long bones

bones that are longer than they are wide

short bones

cube shaped bones of the wrist and ankle

irregular bones

Bones that do not fit in any other classification category

Flat bones

These bones are thin, flat, and curved. They form the ribs, breastbone, and skull.

Sesamoid bones

round bones found near joints (e.g., the patella)

chondrocytes

mature cartilage cells

chondroblasts

immature cartilage forming cells

Fibrous tissue

tissue that binds structures together

Lacunae

small cavities in bone that contain osteocytes/chondrocytes

Canaliculi

Hairlike canals that connect lacunae to each other and the central canal

Bone matrix

rigid framework of bone that consists of tough protein fibers and mineral crystals

Appositional growth

diameter bone growth

Interstitial Growth

Chondrocytes divide and secrete new matrix, expanding cartilage from within

extracellular matrix

a collection of molecules secreted by cells that provides structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells.

Endochondral ossification

Process of transforming cartilage into bone.

Mesenchymal progenitor cells

Stem cells that differentiate into different types of body tissues

bisphosphonates

inhibitors of bone calcification

Lumbar spine

The lower part of the back, formed by the lowest five nonfused vertebrae; also called the dorsal spine.

Cervical spine

The portion of the spinal column consisting of the first seven vertebrae that lie in the neck.

thoracic spine

The 12 vertebrae that lie between the cervical vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae. One pair of ribs is attached to each of the thoracic vertebrae.

Fracture

to break (a bone)

Radiology

study of X rays and radioactive substances and their uses in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases

Fibroblasts

In connective tissue, cells that secrete the proteins of the fibers.

Fibril

small fiber

collagen (in bones)

provides flexibility and tensile strength

osteo-

refers to the bones