Chapter 07: The Skeletal System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from Chapter 07, focusing on the skeletal system, including bone structure, types of bones, and bone health.

Skeletal system

Composed of bones, cartilages, and ligaments that support and protect the body.

Cartilage

A flexible connective tissue that serves as a precursor to most bones and covers joint surfaces.

Ligaments

Tissues that hold bones together at joints.

Tendons

Connective tissues that attach muscles to bones.

Support

One of the key functions of the skeleton; limb and vertebrae bones support the body.

Protection

Another function of the skeleton that protects vital organs such as the brain and heart.

Movement

Bone allows for movement, including limb movements and breathing.

Electrolyte balance

The skeleton helps maintain calcium and phosphate levels in the body.

Bone formation

The process by which red bone marrow produces blood cells.

Flat bones

Thin, curved plates of bone that protect soft organs.

Long bones

Bones that are longer than they are wide, acting as rigid levers.

Short bones

Bones that are approximately equal in length and width, allowing gliding movements.

Irregular bones

Bones with elaborate shapes that do not fit into the other categories.

Compact bone

Dense outer shell of bone.

Spongy bone

Loosely organized bone tissue found in the center of bones.

Periosteum

The external sheath covering most of a bone, containing an outer fibrous layer.

Osteogenic cells

Stem cells found in the endosteum and inner periosteum that give rise to most other bone cell types.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells responsible for synthesizing the organic component of the bone matrix.

Osteocytes

Former osteoblasts trapped in the matrix they created.

Osteoclasts

Bone-dissolving cells involved in bone remodeling.

Matrix of osseous tissue

Composed of one-third organic matter and two-thirds inorganic matter.

Hydroxyapatite

Crystallized calcium phosphate and calcium hydroxide salt that makes up a significant part of bone.

Ossification

The formation of bone by either intramembranous or endochondral processes.

Calcitriol

The most active form of vitamin D that regulates calcium absorption.

Hypercalcemia

Excessive levels of calcium in the blood.

Hypocalcemia

Deficient calcium levels in the blood.

Calcium homeostasis

The regulation of calcium levels in the body via dietary intake, losses, and exchanges.

Stress fracture

A break caused by abnormal trauma to a healthy bone.

Pathological fracture

A break in a bone weakened by disease.

Closed reduction

A procedure to manipulate bone fragments into position without surgery.

Osteoporosis

A common bone disease characterized by severe loss of bone density that increases fracture risk.