Vocabulary - Chapter 6 - The Skeletal System

Amphiarthrosis

Joints that permit slight movement, (ex: those in the spine / joint between the 2 pubic bones)

Appendicular skeleton

The part of the skeleton consisting of the limbs + the girdles (shoulder + pelvic girdles) that attach them to the axial skeleton.

Articulation

A joint; the place where 2 bones meet, allowing for varying degrees of movement depending on the joint type.

Axial skeleton

The central part of the skeleton that includes the skull, vertebral column, + rib cage, supporting + protecting organs.

Bursa

A small fluid-filled sac located near joints to reduce friction between tissues like bones, tendons, muscles, + skin.

Compact bone

Dense + hard outer layer of bone, providing strength + structure.

Diaphysis

The shaft / central part of a long bone, primarily made up of compact bone surrounding a marrow cavity.

Diarthrosis

Freely movable joints, (ex: shoulder or knee) characterized by a synovial cavity + ligaments.

Epiphysis

The ends of a long bone, usually broader than the shaft, often involved in joint articulation + containing spongy bone.

Fracture

A break in a bone, which can range from minor cracks to complete breaks across the bone structure.

Ligament

A band of connective tissue that connects bones to each other, stabilizing joints.

Marrow cavity

The hollow interior of the diaphysis, filled with marrow that produces blood cells / stores fat.

Meniscus

A piece of cartilage in joints like the knee, providing cushioning + reducing friction between bones.

Ossification

The process by which bone is formed, involving the transformation of cartilage / fibrous tissue into bone.

Osteoblast

Bone cells responsible for forming new bone tissue by producing the bone matrix.

Osteoclast

Bone cells that break down bone tissue, playing a crucial role in bone remodeling + calcium regulation.

Osteocyte

A mature bone cell that maintains the bone matrix + helps regulate mineral content.

Osteon

The structural unit of compact bone, consisting of concentric layers of bone tissue around a central canal.

Periosteum

A dense, fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of bones (except at joint surfaces) providing attachment points for tendons + ligaments.

Spongy bone

A lighter, porous type of bone found at the ENDS of long bones + in the INTERIOR of other bones, containing marrow + supporting weight distribution.

Synarthrosis

A type of joint that permits LITTLE TO NO movement, (ex: the sutures in the skull)

Synovial fluid

A lubricating fluid found within synovial joints, reducing friction + aiding in smooth joint movement.