anatomy skeletal system overview

Cartilage

A flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body.

Hyaline

A type of cartilage that is glassy and smooth, providing support with some flexibility.

Elastic

A type of cartilage that is flexible and able to withstand repeated bending.

Fibrocartilage

A tough, dense type of cartilage that provides support and absorbs shock.

Axial Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that consists of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

Skull

The bony structure that forms the head and houses the brain.

Cranial bones

The bones that form the protective case around the brain.

Facial bones

The bones that form the structure of the face.

Spinal column

The series of vertebrae that extends from the skull to the lower back.

Thoracic cage

The bony structure that surrounds the chest and supports the thoracic organs.

Appendicular Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the limbs and girdles.

Long bones

Bones that are longer than they are wide.

Flat bones

Bones that are flat and curved.

Short bones

Bones that are about as wide as they are long.

Irregular bones

Bones that do not fit into other categories.

Epiphysis

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

Diaphysis

The shaft or central part of a long bone.

Medullary cavity

The central cavity of bone shafts where red and yellow bone marrow is stored.

Compact bone

The dense, hard outer layer of bone.

Spongy bone

The porous, lighter inner part of bone that contains red bone marrow.

Osteon

The basic structural unit of compact bone.

Central canal

The channel in the center of an osteon that contains blood vessels and nerves.

Lacuna(e)

Small spaces in bone tissue that contain osteocytes.

Canaliculi

Microscopic canals that connect lacunae to each other and to the central canal.

Endosteum

A thin membrane lining the medullary cavity of a bone.

Periosteum

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

Circumferential lamellae

Layers of bone matrix that extend around the entire circumference of the bone.

Perforating canals

Channels that allow blood vessels and nerves to travel from the periosteum to the bone.

Perforating fibers

Collagen fibers that anchor the periosteum to the bone.