Osteology Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering bone anatomy, marrow, coverings, bone cells, and osteoporosis concepts from the lecture.

Medullary cavity

Central hollow space inside a long bone that houses red and yellow bone marrow.

Red bone marrow

Hematopoietic tissue that forms blood cells; located in the medullary cavity and, in some bones, in the epiphyses.

Yellow bone marrow

Fatty marrow found in the medullary cavity.

Periosteum

Outer fibrous membrane covering the bone; has an inner cellular layer involved in growth and repair.

Endosteum

Thin membrane lining the inner surfaces of bone, including the medullary cavity.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells that secrete organic matrix to form new bone.

Osteoclasts

Bone-resorbing cells that break down bone tissue (bone resorption).

Bone resorption

Process by which osteoclasts break down and remove bone tissue.

Osteoporosis

Disease characterized by reduced bone density due to increased osteoclast activity or decreased formation; common in postmenopausal women and linked to spontaneous fractures.

Calcium

Mineral essential for bone mineralization and multiple bodily processes; mobilized from bone when dietary calcium is low.

Organic matrix (osteoid)

Organic scaffold secreted by osteoblasts that becomes mineralized to form bone.

Femoral neck fracture

Fracture of the proximal femur; commonly associated with osteoporosis and may occur with minimal trauma.

Epiphysis

Ends of a long bone; sites of marrow in some bones and important for growth and remodeling.