Chapter 6: Bones and Osseous Tissue

This collection of flashcards focuses on the key terms and concepts related to bones and osseous tissue as presented in Chapter 6 of the lecture notes.

Cartilage

Avascular connective tissue that is embedded in a firm gel and has flexibility like firm plastic.

Chondrocytes

Cartilage cells that receive oxygen and nutrients by diffusion.

Hyaline cartilage

The most common type of cartilage that covers articular surfaces of bones.

Elastic cartilage

A type of cartilage that forms the external ear, epiglottis, and eustachian tubes, and contains large numbers of elastic fibers.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage that occurs in symphysis pubis, menisci, and intervertebral disks, characterized by small quantities of matrix and abundant fibrous elements.

Appositional growth

Growth of cartilage where chondrocytes in the perichondrium divide and secrete new matrix at the surface.

Interstitial growth

Growth of cartilage where cells divide and secrete additional matrix, seen during childhood and early adolescence.

Osteons

Cylinder-shaped structural units that make up compact bone.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells found on all bone surfaces, responsible for synthesizing and secreting osteoid.

Osteoclasts

Bone-destroying cells that erode bone minerals and are essential for bone remodeling.

Compact bone

Bone type characterized by dense structure; contains osteons.

Cancellous bone

Also known as spongy bone; characterized by trabeculae and is less dense than compact bone.

Medullary cavity

Tubelike, hollow space in long bones that contains bone marrow.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation that occurs in the red bone marrow.

Osteoporosis

A disease characterized by decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures due to bone resorption outpacing deposition.

Homeostasis of calcium ions

Maintaining steady levels of calcium in the blood, crucial for processes such as blood clotting and muscle contraction.

Parathyroid hormone

Regulates calcium homeostasis by increasing blood calcium levels.

Calcitonin

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that lowers blood calcium levels.

Intramembranous ossification

Bone formation within a connective tissue membrane, primarily responsible for forming flat bones.

Endochondral ossification

Process in which bones are formed from a cartilage model, typically seen in long bones.

Epiphyseal plate

Cartilage growth plate located between the epiphysis and diaphysis of long bones.