Comprehensive Anatomy and Physiology Review for Test Preparation

Osteoblasts

Cells that build up bone.

Osteocytes

Mature osteoblasts that maintain bone matrix.

Osteoclasts

Cells that cut down or break down bone tissue.

LACUNAE

Spaces occupied by osteocyte cell bodies.

CANALICULI

Canals occupied by osteocyte cell processes.

Hyaline Cartilage Cell types

Includes chondroblasts and chondrocytes.

Chondroblasts

Cells that form the matrix of cartilage.

Chondrocytes

Cells surrounded by matrix within lacunae.

Bone Cell types

Includes osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts.

Organic Matrix

Composed of collagen and proteoglycans.

Inorganic Matrix

Composed of hydroxyapatite, which includes calcium phosphate.

Intramembranous ossification

Bone development that takes place in embryonic connective tissue membrane.

Endochondral ossification

Bone development that takes place in cartilage.

Epiphyseal Plate

Cartilage that allows for growth in bone length.

Epiphyseal Line

Ossified area indicating no further growth.

Diaphysis

Shaft of the bone.

Epiphysis

End of the bone that develops from its own center of ossification.

Periosteum

Outer, double-layered connective tissue membrane attached to bone.

Endosteum

Thin connective tissue membrane lining the inner cavities of bone.

Articular cartilage

Hyaline cartilage covering a bone where it forms a joint.

Spongy bone

Bone with many small spaces, found mainly in the epiphysis.

Compact bone

Dense bone with few internal spaces, organized into osteons.

Medullary cavity

Large cavity within the diaphysis.

Red marrow

Connective tissue in the spaces of spongy bone or in the medullary cavity, site of blood cell production.

Yellow marrow

Fat stored within the medullary cavity or in the spaces of spongy bone.

Woven bone

Fairly weak bone formed during fetal development and fracture repair.

Lamellar bone

Mature bone organized in concentric sheets called lamellae.

Collagen fibers

Oriented in one direction in trabeculae along lines of stress.

Osteon

Also known as the Haversian system; functional unit of bone.

Calcium Homeostasis

Bone is a major storage site for calcium, with levels depending on the movement of calcium into or out of bone.

Calcitriol

Derived from Vitamin D; increases blood Ca2+ levels by increasing absorption in the gut and decreasing calcium loss from the kidneys.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Increases blood Ca2+ levels by stimulating osteoclast activity.

Calcitonin

Decreases blood Ca2+ levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity.

Rickets

Vitamin D deficiency leading to reduced mineralization of bone cortex due to lack of calcium.

Scurvy

Vitamin C deficiency necessary for collagen synthesis by osteoblasts; can cause teeth to fall out and wounds not to heal.

Pectoral Girdle

Consists of the scapula and clavicle.

Acromion Process

Part of the scapula that forms a protective cover and attachment for clavicle and muscles.

Glenoid Cavity

Articulates with the humerus.

Humerus

Arm bone with a proximal head and various anatomical features including tubercles and epicondyles.

Ulna

Forearm bone with a trochlear notch that fits over the trochlea of the humerus.

Radius

Forearm bone that articulates with the ulna and carpals.

Pelvic Girdle

Hip Bones (Pelvic Bones) and Sacrum

Symphysis Pubis

The cartilaginous joint located between the left and right pubic bones.

Tibia

Larger bone in the lower leg that supports most of the weight.

Tibial tuberosity

Attachment point for the quadriceps femoris muscle.

Anterior crest

Also known as the shin; the prominent ridge along the front of the tibia.

Condyles

Medial and lateral surfaces that articulate with the femur.

Intercondylar eminence

A bony prominence between the condyles of the tibia.

Medial malleolus

The bony prominence on the medial side of the ankle.

Fibula

The smaller bone of the lower leg that articulates with the tibia but not the femur.

Lateral malleolus

The bony prominence on the lateral side of the ankle.

Tarsals

Seven bones that make up the ankle.

Metatarsals

Five long bones in the foot.

Phalanges

Bones of the toes.

Hallux

The great toe.

Sternum

Consists of three portions: Manubrium, Body, and Xyphoid Process.

True Ribs

First 7 pairs of ribs that connect directly to the sternum.

False Ribs

5 pairs of ribs that do not connect directly to the sternum.

Floating Ribs

2 pairs of ribs that have no connection to the sternum.

Cervical

The region of the vertebral column consisting of 7 vertebrae.

Thoracic

The region of the vertebral column consisting of 12 vertebrae.

Lumbar

The region of the vertebral column consisting of 5 vertebrae.

Sacral

The region of the vertebral column consisting of 1 fused bone.

Coccygeal

The region of the vertebral column consisting of the coccyx.

Lordosis

Exaggeration of the lumbar curve.

Kyphosis

Exaggeration of the thoracic curve.

Scoliosis

Lateral curvature of the spine, often accompanied by kyphosis.

Intervertebral Disks

Cartilaginous structures located between adjacent vertebrae that provide support.

Annulus fibrosus

The external fibrocartilage of the intervertebral disk.

Nucleus pulposus

The internal gelatinous core of the intervertebral disk.

Herniated Disk

Breakage or ballooning of the annulus fibrosus with a partial or complete release of the nucleus pulposus.

Sagittal Suture

A fibrous joint that connects the two parietal bones of the skull.

Lambdoid Suture

A fibrous joint that connects the occipital bone with the parietal bones.

Occipital Bone

The bone that forms the back and base of the skull.

Temporal Bone

The bone that forms the sides and base of the skull.

Sphenoid Bone

A complex bone located at the base of the skull, contributing to the eye socket.

Zygomatic Bone

The bone that forms the cheek and part of the eye socket.

Maxilla

The upper jawbone that holds the upper teeth.

Mandible

The lower jawbone that holds the lower teeth and is movable.

Nasal Bone

The bone that forms the bridge of the nose.

Lacrimal Bone

The small bone forming part of the eye socket.

Frontal Bone

The bone that forms the forehead and the upper part of the eye sockets.

Alveolar Process

The ridge containing the teeth.

Anterior Nasal Spine

Forms part of the nasal septum.

Frontal Process

Forms the sides of the nasal bridge.

Incisive Canal

Opening through which a nerve exits the nasal cavity to the roof of the oral cavity.

Infraorbital Foramen

Opening through which a nerve and vessels exit the orbit to the face.

Maxillary Tuberosity

Rounded projection posterior to the last maxillary molar tooth.

Orbital Surface

Forms the floor of the orbit.

Palatine Process

Forms the anterior two-thirds of the hard palate.

Zygomatic Process

Connection to the zygomatic bone; helps form the interior margin of the orbit.

Angle (Mandible)

Corner between the body and ramus of the mandible.

Body (Mandible)

Major, horizontal portion of the mandible.

Condylar Process

Extension containing the mandibular condyle.

Coronoid Process

Attachment for a muscle of mastication.

Mandibular Condyle

Helps form the temporomandibular joint.

Mandibular Foramen

Opening through which nerves and vessels to the mandibular teeth enter the bone.

Mental Foramen

Opening through which a nerve and vessels exit the mandible to the skin of the chin.

Sella Turcica

Fossa containing the pituitary gland.

Carotid Canal

Canal through which the internal carotid artery enters the cranial cavity.