Lab 2: Osteology and Histology - The Axial Skeleton

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering tissue histology, bone features, classification, and axial skeletal structures from Lab 2 Osteology.

Hyaline Cartilage

A tissue where collagen fibers are evenly distributed throughout a rigid matrix, providing both structural rigidity and flexibility while cushioning joints against compressive forces.

Chondrocytes

Cartilage cells that reside in spaces within the tissue matrix called lacunae.

Lacunae

Chambers or spaces within the matrix of cartilage and bone that accommodate chondrocytes or osteocytes.

Compact Bone

Heavy and dense bone tissue composed of a hard matrix organized into concentric rings surrounding a central canal.

Cancellous Bone

Bone tissue characterized as light and spongy, found inside long bone ends and inner cores of flat and short bones.

Osteon (Haversian system)

The concentric ring structure surrounding a central canal in compact bone tissue.

Canaliculi

Microscopic tunnels in hard bone matrix that allow communication and cytoplasmic projection passage for osteocytes.

Tendon

Dense regular connective tissue composed primarily of parallel collagen fibers that attaches muscle to bone.

Ligament

Dense regular connective tissue that attaches bone to bone, providing stretch resistance across joints.

Epiphysis

The end of a long bone, composed of cancellous bone covered by a thin outer layer of compact bone.

Diaphysis

The long main shaft portion of a long bone, composed of compact bone.

Epiphyseal Plate

Cartilaginous growth plate located between the epiphysis and diaphysis of a developing long bone.

Short Bones

Bones shaped like cubes or marshmallows, consisting of an inner core of cancellous bone surrounded by compact bone, such as carpal and tarsal bones.

Flat Bones

Thin and flat bones composed of a layer of cancellous bone sandwiched between two layers of compact bone, such as the scapula, pelvis, and ribs.

Irregular Bones

Oddly shaped bones that do not fit into the long, short, or flat categories, including vertebrae, patellas, and sesamoid bones.

Articular Surface

A smooth surface of compact bone covered with hyaline cartilage that comes into contact with another bone's articular surface.

Condyle

A large, rounded articular surface typically occurring in pairs, located on the distal humerus, distal femur, and occipital bone.

Bone Head

A spherical articular structure located at the proximal end of a long bone, joined to the main body by a narrow neck.

Facet

A flat articular surface found on carpal bones, tarsal bones, vertebrae, and radius/ulna surfaces.

Bone Process

Lumps, bumps, or projections on bones where tendons and muscles attach.

Foramen

A hole or opening in a bone through which blood vessels or nerves typically pass.

Foramen Magnum

The large opening at the base of the occipital bone through which the spinal cord exits the skull.

Obturator Foramen

A large opening in the pelvic bone that functions to lighten the skeleton without carrying major structures.

Bone Fossa

A depression or sunken area on a bone surface that usually houses muscles or tendons.

Axial Skeleton

The central group of bones located along the cranial-caudal axis of the body, including the skull, hyoid, spinal column, ribs, and sternum.

Appendicular Skeleton

The bones that comprise the limbs or appendages.

Sutures

Immovable fibrous joints that unite most of the bones of the skull.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

The only movable joint in the skull, formed between the ramus of the mandible and the temporal bone.

Occipital Bone

The bone forming the caudoventral base of the skull, containing the foramen magnum and occipital condyles.

Parietal Bones

Two bones that form the dorsolateral portion of the cranium.

Temporal Bones

Two cranial bones forming the ventrolateral cranium, housing middle and inner ear structures and the tympanic bullae.

Tympanic Bullae

Egg-shaped bony swellings on the ventral surface of the temporal bones containing middle ear structures.

Frontal Bones

Two bones forming the forehead region of the skull, containing large frontal sinuses.

Incisive Bones

The most rostral skull bones, housing the upper incisor teeth in most mammals or supporting the dental pad in ruminants.

Nasal Bones

Two paired bones forming the bridge of the nose and dorsal aspect of the nasal cavity.

Maxillary Bones

Two bones forming most of the upper jaw, housing upper canine, premolar, and molar teeth and containing maxillary sinuses.

Zygomatic Bones

Two bones forming a portion of the eye orbit and the rostral portion of the zygomatic arch.

Mandible

The lower jaw bone, comprising a horizontal shaft for teeth and a vertical ramus for the temporomandibular joint.

Nasal Turbinates

Thin, scroll-like bones filling the nasal cavities that warm, humidify, and filter inhaled air.

Atlas (C1)

The first cervical vertebra, composed of a bony ring with no body and two prominent transverse processes called wings.

Axis (C2)

The second cervical vertebra, featuring a large blade-like spinous process and a cranial peg-like dens.

Costochondral Junction

The point of connection between the dorsal bony rib and the ventral cartilaginous costal cartilage.

Sternum

The breastbone, composed of individual bony segments called sternebrae, bounded by the manubrium cranially and the xiphoid process caudally.