Bones

Support

Provides framework for the body, cradles soft organs, and protects internal organs.

Protection

Forms a protective case for the brain, spinal cord, and vital organs.

Movement

Offers levers for muscle attachment and movement.

Mineral storage

Acts as a reservoir for minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus.

Blood Cell formation

Hematopoiesis occurs within the marrow cavities of bones.

Long bones

Bones longer than they are wide.

Short bones

Cube-shaped bones like wrist and ankle bones.

Flat bones

Thin, flattened bones such as the sternum and most skull bones.

Irregular bones

Bones with complex shapes like vertebrae and hip bones.

Compact bone

Dense outer layer of bone.

Spongy bone

Honeycomb structure filled with red bone marrow.

Osteon

Structural unit of compact bone.

Diaphysis

Tubular shaft of long bones composed of compact bone.

Epiphyses

Expanded ends of long bones covered with articular cartilage.

Hyaline cartilage

Provides support and resilience, found in joint surfaces and other areas.

Bone markings

Bulges, depressions, and holes serving various functions.

Inorganic

Mineral salts like calcium phosphates making bones hard.

Organic

Includes osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts.

Intramembranous ossification

Bone development from a fibrous membrane.

Endochondral ossification

Bone formation by replacing hyaline cartilage.

Growth plate

Made of hyaline cartilage, responsible for longitudinal bone growth.

Bone remodeling

Constant process of making and breaking down bone.

Calcium homeostasis

Regulated by hormonal mechanisms and mechanical forces.

Wolff’s law

Bones grow or remodel in response to forces placed upon them.

Bone fractures

Classified by position, completeness, orientation, and skin penetration.

Ligaments

Dense regular connective tissue that connects bones at joints.