Bones and Skeletal Tissues

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to bones and skeletal tissues.

Hyaline Cartilage

The most abundant type of cartilage; provides support, flexibility, and resilience; contains only collagen fibers.

Elastic Cartilage

Similar to hyaline cartilage but contains elastic fibers; found in the external ear and epiglottis.

Fibrocartilage

Contains thick collagen fibers and provides great tensile strength; found in menisci of the knee and vertebral discs.

Functions of Bones

Bones perform several functions including support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell formation, triglyceride storage, and hormone production.

Axial Skeleton

Comprises the long axis of the body, including the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

Consists of the bones of the upper and lower limbs, as well as girdles attaching limbs to the axial skeleton.

Ossification

The process of bone tissue formation that begins in the embryonic stage and continues until early adulthood.

Endochondral Ossification

The process of bone formation whereby hyaline cartilage is replaced by bone; most of the skeleton is formed this way.

Intramembranous Ossification

Bone formation that occurs within fibrous connective tissue membranes; forms certain flat bones like the skull.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells that secrete osteoid, the unmineralized organic component of the bone matrix.

Osteoclasts

Giant, multinucleate cells that function in bone resorption by breaking down bone tissue.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone matrix and act as stress or strain sensors.

Bone Remodeling

The process where bone is continually deposited and resorbed, allowing adaptation to stress and integrity of the skeleton.

Hormonal Regulation of Bone Growth

Growth hormone, thyroid hormone, and sex hormones regulate bone growth by affecting the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Osteoporosis

A bone disease characterized by decreased bone mass and density, leading to increased risk of fractures.

Paget’s Disease

A bone disorder characterized by excessive bone resorption and formation, leading to disorganized bone structure.

Bone Repair Process

Involves hematoma formation, fibrocartilaginous callus formation, bony callus formation, and bone remodeling.