Bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons

What is cartilage

Supportive connective tissue that covers joint surfaces, ears, nose, and vertebral discs. Surface of cartilage is covered by perichodrium.

What are ligaments

Dense regular connective tissue connective bone to bone made of a matrix of collagen and elastin

What are tendons

Dense regular connective tissues that connect bone to muscle, mostly made of collagen

What are chondrocytes

Developed mesenchymal cells which differentiate and become fully enclosed in cartilage matrix which they secrete

What is hyaline cartilage

Smooth cartilage made of collagen fibres embedded in a ground substance

What is elastic cartilage

Type of cartilage with elastin as the major protein

What is fibrocartilage

Tough cartilage made of thick bundles of collagen embedded in ground substance

What is appositional growth

Fibroblasts differentiating into chondrocytes, which produce new bone tissue under the periosteum. Osteoclasts resorb old bone, and the diameter of the bone increases.

What is bone tissue filled with

Blood vessels

What is the deep level of the bone called

Endosteum

What is the superficial level of the bone called

Periosteum

Features of compact bone

Dense and arranged into osteon rings

Features of spongy bone

Distributed force with struts running along the bone

What do osteogenic cells do

Produce other bone cells

What do osteoblasts do

Produce bone matrix

What are osteocytes

Matures osteoblasts that maintain surrounding matrix

What do osteoclasts do

Dissolve bone matrix

What happens when the body is low on calcium

Osteoclasts break done bone matrix to retrieve calcium

What is endochondral growth

The replacement of hyaline cartilage template with bone tissue at the epiphyseal plate, allowing long bones to grow in length

What do bones begin as in utero

Hyaline cartilage

How does endochondral growth start

Blood vessels come through the cartilage and bring osteoblasts

In what direction does ossification happen

From middle to end

What happens to spaces where there is still cartilage during ossification

Interstitial division of chondrocytes, which lengthens bone

What do osteoblasts do during appositional growth

Active at periosteum, depositing new bone matrix

What do osteoclasts do during appositional growth

Active at endosteum, break down bone

What is perichondrium

Dense fibrous connective tissue that covers cartilage

What is articular cartilage

Subtype of hyaline cartilage without perichodrium