A&P Ch. 6a Dr. Heyman

Cartilage

A flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body such as joints and the ears.

Skeletal cartilage

Cartilage that provides support, flexibility, and resilience, found in locations like joints and the rib cage.

Chondrocytes

Mature cartilage cells that maintain the extracellular matrix.

Hyaline cartilage

The most abundant type of cartilage, providing support and flexibility; found in articular cartilage, costal cartilage, and respiratory structures.

Elastic cartilage

Similar to hyaline cartilage but contains elastic fibers; found in the external ear and epiglottis.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage that contains thick collagen fibers, providing great tensile strength; found in menisci of the knee and intervertebral discs.

Appositional growth

Growth of cartilage by adding new layers on the outside of existing cartilage.

Interstitial growth

Growth of cartilage from within due to chondrocytes dividing and secreting new matrix.

Osteogenic cells

Stem cells in bone tissue that can differentiate into osteoblasts.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells that secrete unmineralized bone matrix.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain the bone matrix and communicate mechanical stimuli.

Bone marrow

Tissue found within the cavities of bones, responsible for blood cell formation.

Compact bone

Dense outer layer of bone; smooth and solid, providing strength.

Spongy bone

Also known as cancellous bone, consisting of a honeycomb structure with trabeculae.

Long bones

Bones longer than they are wide, such as the humerus and femur.

Short bones

Cube-shaped bones found in the wrist and ankle.

Flat bones

Thin, flat bones like the sternum and ribs.

Irregular bones

Bones with complicated shapes, such as vertebrae.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation occurring in the red marrow of bones.

Periosteum

A double-layered membrane that covers the external surfaces of bones.

Endosteum

A delicate connective tissue membrane that covers the internal surfaces of bones.

Bone markings

Projections, depressions, and openings in bones that serve as sites of muscle attachment or pathways for nerves and blood vessels.

Osteon

The structural unit of compact bone, consisting of a central canal and concentric layers of bone.

Hydroxyapatites

Mineral salts primarily composed of calcium phosphate, which provide hardness and resistance to compression in bones.