Unit 3: Skeletal systems

cancellous bone

spongy bone

cervical vertebrae

vertebrae or bones of the neck

compact bone

hard outer shell of the bone

condyle

knucklelike projection at the end of a bone

crest

distinct border or ridge

Diaphysis

main shaft–like portion of a bone

epiphyseal line

layer of cartilage that separates the diaphysis from the epiphysis of a bone

epiphysis

the end of a bone

false ribs

ribs which connect to the vertebrae in the back and to the seventh rib in the front

fissure

a groove or depression in a bone

flat bones

bones that are broad and thin with flat or curved surfaces

floating ribs

ribs that connect to the vertebrae in the back but are free of any attachment in the front

fontanelle

space between the bones of an infant’s cranium

foramen

Hole in a bone through which blood vessels or nerves pass

fossa

Hollow or concave depression in a bone

haversian canals

system of small canals within compact bone that contain blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves

hematopoiesis

normal formation and development of blood cells in the bone marrow

intercostal spaces

spaces between the ribs

intervertebral disk

flat, circular, plate like structure of cartilage serving as a cushion between the vertebrae

long bones

bones that are longer than they are wide with distinctive shaped ends

lumbar vertebrae

vertebrae of the lower back

medullary cavity

center portion of the shaft of a long bone containing the yellow marrow

ossification

conversion of cartilage and fibrous connective tissue to bone; the formation of bone

osteoblasts

immature bone cells that actively produce bony tissue

osteoclasts

large cells that absorb or digest old bone tissue

osteocytes

mature bone cells

periosteum

thick, white, fibrous membrane that covers the surface of a long bone

red bone marrow

soft, semifluid substance located in the small spaces of spongy bone that is the source of blood production

resorption

process of removing or digesting old bone tissue

sesamoid bones

irregular bones imbedded in tendons near a joint

short bones

bones that are about as long as they are wide and somewhat box–shaped

sinus

opening or hollow space in a bone; cavity within a bone

spine

sharp projection from the surface of a bone

stenosis

abnormal condition characterized by a narrowing or restriction of an opening or passageway in a body structure

sulcus

groove or depression in a bone

sutures

immovable joints

thoracic vertebrae

the vertebrae of the chest

trabeculae

needle–like bony spicules within spongy bone that adds to the strength of the bone

trochanter

large bony process located below the neck of the femur

true ribs

ribs which connect to the vertebrae in the back and sternum in the front

tubercle

small, rounded process of a bone

tuberosity

elevated, broad, rounded process of a bone

vertebral foramen

large opening in the center of each vertebra that serves as a passageway for the spinal cord

yellow marrow

located in the diaphysis of long bones, mainly fatty tissue