Connective Tissue: Cartilage & Bone (and your skeletal system)

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to connective tissues focusing on cartilage and bone, as well as their roles within the skeletal system.

Cartilage

A flexible connective tissue that provides support and flexibility to the skeletal structure.

Bone

A hard, calcified tissue that forms the skeleton, providing structure, support, and protection to organs.

Hyaline cartilage

The most abundant type of cartilage, characterized by a firm matrix containing mostly collagen fibers.

Fibrocartilage

A type of cartilage with a higher concentration of collagen fibers; it resists tension and absorbs compressive forces.

Elastic cartilage

Cartilage that contains elastic fibers, allowing it to withstand repeated bending.

Perichondrium

A dense irregular connective tissue that surrounds cartilage, providing support and nutrients.

Chondroblast

A cell that secretes the components of the cartilage matrix.

Chondrocyte

A mature cartilage cell that maintains the cartilage matrix.

Avascular

Referring to tissues that do not contain blood vessels; cartilage is avascular.

Compact bone

Dense bone tissue that forms the outer layer of bone, providing strength.

Spongy bone

Bone tissue that has a porous structure, containing trabeculae and filled with bone marrow.

Osteoblast

A cell that forms new bone by secreting bone matrix.

Osteoclast

A cell that breaks down bone matrix, resorbing old bone tissue.

Endochondral ossification

A process where bone forms by replacing hyaline cartilage.

Intramembranous ossification

A form of bone development where bone forms directly from mesenchymal tissue.

Osteoporosis

A condition characterized by weakened bones, making them more susceptible to fractures.

Osteomalacia

Softening of bones due to a defect in the bone-building process, often due to deficiencies in calcium or vitamin D.

Epiphyseal plate

Cartilage layer where bone growth occurs at the ends of long bones.

Hemopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation occurring in red bone marrow.

Collagen fibers

Proteins that provide strength and structure to the extracellular matrix of connective tissues.

Elastic fibers

Fibers that provide elasticity and resilience to tissues such as elastic cartilage.