Skeletal System Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Flashcards created from lecture notes covering bone anatomy, divisions of the skeleton, bone shapes, compact bone histology, and skeletal system functions.

What part of a long bone is located furthest from the body trunk?

The distal epiphysis.

What is the diaphysis of a long bone?

The bony cylinder that connects the epiphyses.

What region connects the epiphyses to the diaphysis, and what growth region does it contain?

The metaphysis connects the epiphyses to the diaphysis. It contains a growth region called the epiphyseal plate, which is composed of hyaline cartilage.

What tissue and marrow are contained within the medullary cavity in the middle of the diaphysis?

The medullary cavity contains yellow bone marrow, which stores lipids and is composed of adipose tissue.

What covers the external ends of long bones and what is its structure and function?

Articular cartilage covers the external ends of long bones. It consists of hyaline cartilage sheets that form padding between the bones.

How many bones are in the adult human skeleton, and into what two major divisions is it divided?

There are approximately $206$ bones in the adult skeleton, divided into the axial division and the appendicular division.

Which structures make up the axial division of the skeleton?

The skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternum, hyoid, and middle ear ossicles.

Which structures make up the appendicular division of the skeleton?

The upper limbs, pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle, and lower limbs.

What are the four bone shape categories and their definitions?

Long bones (longer than wide / greater length than width), short bones (cube-shaped, approximately equal in all dimensions), flat bones (compressed in one direction), and irregular bones (shape not easily classifiable).

What are the examples of long bones and short bones listed in the notes?

Examples of long bones are the femur, tibia, fibula, radius, ulna, phalanges, and metatarsals. Examples of short bones are the tarsals, carpals, and patella.

What are the examples of flat bones and irregular bones listed in the notes?

Examples of flat bones are the sternum, ribs, and cranial bones. Examples of irregular bones are the vertebral column, facial bones, and some cranial bones.

What is compact bone, where is it located, and what percentage of bone mass does it comprise?

Compact bone is dense bony tissue found on the exterior/superficial surface of all bones, making up approximately $80\%$ of bone mass.

What are osteons and lamellae in compact bone?

Osteons are the pillars of bone that compose compact bone. Concentric lamellae are microscopic cylinder-like structures that contain collagen fibers in addition to bone minerals.

What four main structures compose the skeletal system?

Bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

What are the general characteristics of cartilages in the skeletal system?

Cartilages are rigid connective tissues that are more flexible than bone. They tend to be avascular (lack blood vessels) and heal poorly.

What are the anatomical locations and roles of hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage?

Hyaline cartilage attaches the ribs to the sternum, covers the ends of bones between joints, and composes most of the embryonic skeleton. Fibrocartilage forms discs between the vertebrae, within the knee joint, and at the pubic symphysis.

What are the specific connection functions of ligaments and tendons?

Ligaments function to connect bone to bone, whereas tendons function to connect muscles to bone.

Which soft internal organs are protected by specific skeletal structures?

The brain is protected by the skull, the heart is protected by the sternum and ribs, and the spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column.

What is hematopoiesis, and where does it take place?

Hematopoiesis is the process of producing blood cells, which occurs in red bone marrow.

Why is calcium stored in the skeleton physiologically important?

Calcium is an important mineral required for muscle contraction and for the release of neurotransmitters from neurons.