Human Anatomy I: Skeletal System

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering the skeletal system, bone classification, formation, remodeling, and joint types of joints.

Axial skeleton

One of the two main subdivisions of the skeleton.

Appendicular skeleton

One of the two main subdivisions of the skeleton.

Storage (skeletal function)

The process where fat is stored in the internal cavities of bones.

Blood cell production

A process occurring in bone marrow responsible for the production of red blood cells (RBCs).

Compact bone

A basic type of bone that is dense and looks smooth.

Spongy bone

A basic type of bone characterized by small needle-like pieces.

Long bones

A classification of bones based on shape and size, such as the humerus or femur.

Short bones

A classification of bones based on shape and size.

Flat bones

A classification of bones based on shape and size, involved in development through intramembranous ossification.

Irregular bones

A classification of bones based on shape and size.

Diaphysis

The shaft or central part of a long bone.

Epiphysis

The end part of a long bone, initially growing separately from the shaft.

Periosteum

A dense layer of vascular connective tissue enveloping the bones except at the surfaces of the joints.

Osteon (Haversian system)

The fundamental functional unit of much compact bone.

Canaliculus

A small channel or canal in a compact bone.

Ossification

The process of bone formation.

Intramembranous Ossification

The process responsible for the development of flat bones through the transformation of mesenchymal cells into osteoblasts.

Endochondral Ossification

A type of bone formation that begins with a hyaline cartilage model and involves primary and secondary ossification centers.

Wolff’s Law

The principle that bone is a dynamic tissue; bones lose mass or atrophy when not subjected to stress (load), such as in bedridden individuals.

Rickets

A disease in children where bones fail to calcify due to lack of calcium or vitamin D, resulting in softened bones and bowing of the legs.

Synarthroses

A functional classification of joints referring to fixed or immovable joints.

Amphiarthroses

A functional classification of joints referring to slightly movable joints, such as the pubic symphysis or intervertebral discs.

Diarthroses

A functional classification of joints referring to freely movable joints.

Fibrous joints

A structural classification of joints where bones are joined by dense fibrous connective tissue, such as a suture.

Cartilaginous joints

A structural classification of joints where bones are connected by cartilage, such as a symphysis.

Synovial joints

A structural classification of joints containing a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid, articular cartilage, and a synovial membrane.

Sagittal plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into left and right sections; associated with flexion and extension movements.

Frontal (coronal) plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections; associated with abduction and adduction movements.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into superior and inferior sections; associated with rotation movements.