Bone Physiology: Gross Structure and Function

Vocabulary flashcards covering bone functions, anatomic bone classifications, gross long bone structures, and histological components from Unit 3 Bone Physiology lecture notes.

Hematopoiesis

The process of producing blood cells, which takes place via multipotent hematopoietic stem cells located inside bones.

Long bones

A class of bones that are longer than they are wide, found in the arms and legs, such as the femur.

Short bones

A class of bones that are roughly square in shape, being as wide as they are long, located in the hands and feet.

Flat bones

A class of bones that are flatter than they are round, such as the sternum and cranial bones protecting the brain.

Irregular bones

A class of bones characterized by strange or complex shapes that are difficult to describe, such as the vertebrae.

Sesamoid bones

Bones classified by how they form within a tendon, typically represented in the body by the patella (kneecap).

Diaphysis

The long, narrow central section or shaft of a long bone.

Metaphysis

The widening neck section of a long bone located between the diaphysis shaft and the epiphysis end.

Epiphysis

The rounded end portion of a long bone containing spongy bone and red bone marrow.

Medullary cavity

The central cavity inside the diaphysis of a long bone filled with yellow bone marrow.

Yellow bone marrow

An inactive form of bone marrow consisting of fat stored within the medullary cavity.

Red bone marrow

The active form of bone marrow containing hematopoietic stem cells, located within the spaces of spongy bone in the epiphysis.

Compact bone

Dense bone tissue whose functional units are osteons, consisting of concentric layers of lamellae around a central canal.

Spongy bone

Bone tissue arranged in a lattice-like network of trabeculae that reduces bone weight and houses red bone marrow.

Trabeculae

The lattice-like structural network in spongy bone that creates lightened spaces where red bone marrow is stored.

Periosteum

A two-layer membrane wrapping around the outside of a long bone, comprised of a outer fibrous layer and an inner cellular layer.

Fibrous layer of periosteum

The superficial outer layer of the periosteum made of dense, irregular connective tissue that provides a framework and attaches to tendons and ligaments.

Cellular layer of periosteum

The deep layer of the periosteum containing active cells that deposit or remove calcium salts during bone remodeling.

Endosteum

An active tissue layer lining the inside of the medullary cavity that contains osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Osteoblasts

Bone-building cells in active layers like the endosteum that lay down new bone tissue.

Osteoclasts

Bone-resorbing cells in active layers like the endosteum that remove or break down bone tissue.

Epiphyseal plate

A growth plate made of hyaline cartilage in a growing long bone that undergoes bone formation and ossifies into an epiphyseal line by about age $25$.

Articular cartilage

A layer of hyaline cartilage covering the epiphysis at joint locations to cushion and reduce friction between articulating bones.

Volkmann's canals

Perforating canals entering from the periosteum perpendicular to central canals, carrying blood vessels and nerves into osteons.