Anatomy & Physiology Honors Skeletal System

bones, parts of bones, terms used to describe skeletal structures, etc...

epiphysis

end of a long bone, articulates with another bone, contains red marrow

diaphysis

shaft of a long bone, hollow tube made of hard compact bone

medullary cavity/marrow cavity

hollow area inside the diaphysis, contains soft, yellow marrow

articular cartilage

thin layer of hyaline cartilage covering each epiphysis, functions to cushion

Periosteum

strong fibrous tissue covering a long bone except at joint services, functions as a site of attachment for ligaments and tendons and in the formation and repair of bones.

endosteum

thin layer of squamous cells which lines the medullary cavity, filled with marrow.

yellow marrow

functions as fat storage tissue, usually present in the marrow of the medullary cavity in an adult long bone

red marrow

functions to produce various blood cells, found in the spaces of spongy bone.

body

main portion of a bone

condyle

a rounded process that usually articulates with another bone, fitting into a depression

crest

a moderately raised ridge, or narrow, ridgelike projection, often a site for muscle attatchment

facet

a small, nearly flat surface, often forms a joint with another flat bone.

fissure

long, crack-like hole for blood vessels and nerves

fossa

a round hole or deep pit for vessels and nerves

foramen

a large opening through a bone that serves as a passageway for blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments.

head

an enlargement on the end of a bone

meatus

a tubelike passageway within a bone

process

a prominent projection or raised area on a bone.

sinus

a cavity or hollow space within a bone

suture

a line of union between bones

trochanter

a relatively large process, or bump, often for muscle attatchment

tubercle

a small, knoblike process

tuberosity

a knoblike process usually larger than a tubercle.

spinal bifida

failure of the laminae of the vertebrae to unite during development, resulting in an incomplete vertebral arch. Causes contents of the vertebral canal to protrude outward.

kyphosis

a problem in the thoracic curvature of the vertebral column causing rounded shoulders and a hunched bacl.

osteogenesis imperfecta

“brittle bone disease”, characterized by short stature, early hearing loss, blue tint in the eyes, flat feet, and loose joints.

traumatic fracture

break due to injury

spontaneous/pathologic fracture

break due to disease

compound fracture

break is exposed to the outside

simple fracture

break is protected by skin

fissured fracture

incomplete longitudinal break

greenstick fracture

incomplete convex break

transverse fracture

complete break at a right angle

oblique fracture

complete break not at a right angle

communited fracture

complete break resulting in bony fragments

spiral fracture

break caused by excessive twisting of the bone