Skeletal System: Bone Types, Anatomy, and Cells

Vocabulary flashcards covering bone classifications, anatomical features of long bones, and specialized bone cell types.

Long Bones

Bones found in the upper and lower arm, the upper and lower leg, and the fingers and toes.

Short bones

Bones located in the wrist and ankle.

Flat bones

Bones that include the ribs, the scapulae, and some bones of the skull.

Irregular bones

Bones consisting of the vertebrae, inner ear, and some of the facial bones.

Sesamoid bones

A category of bones that includes the kneecap (patella).

Epiphyses

The end part of a long bone.

Periosteum

The protective covering on the outer surface of the bone.

Medullary cavity

The hollow shaft of a long bone.

Endosteum

The lining of the medullary cavity, which contains yellow bone marrow and is composed of osteoblasts and a few osteoclasts.

Articular cartilage

Cartilage that provides protection for the bone ends and helps with smooth movement at the joints.

Osteocytes

Cells that make up bone tissue.

Osteoblasts

A type of osteocyte that forms collagen fibers.

Osteoclasts

A type of osteocyte that destroys bone tissue.

Osteogenic (stem cell)

Bone cells capable of self-renewal (making more like themselves) and differentiation into other cells.