Anatomy and Physiology Lesson 4.1 Learning the Key Terms

Articular Cartilage

dense, white, connective tissue covering the articulating surfaces of bones at joints

Bone Marrow

material with a rich blood supply found within the marrow cavity of long bones, yellow marrow stores fat, and red marrow is active in producing blood cells

Cortical Bone

dense, solid bone that covers the outer surface of all bones and is the primary form of bone tissue in all long bones

Diaphysis

the shaft of a long bone, composed of compact bone

Epiphyseal Plate

growth plate near the ends of long bones where osteoblast activity increases bone length

Epiphysis

the bulbous end of a long bone

Haversian Canals

major passageways running in the direction of the length of long bones, providing paths for blood vessels

Haversian System

includes a single Haversian canal along with its multiple canaliculi, which branch out to join with lacunae, forming a comprehensive transportation matrix for supply of nutrients and removal of waste products

Hematopoiesis

the process of blood cell production

Lacunae

tiny cavities laid out in concentric circles around the Haversian canals

Medullary Cavity

central hollow in the long bones

Ossification

process of bone formation

Osteoblasts

specialized bone cells that build new bone tissue

Osteoclasts

specialized bone cells that resorb bone tissue

Osteocytes

mature bone cells found in lacunae

Osteon

the functional and structural unit of compact bone. they consist of tiny structural "pillars" made of concentric rings or tubes of bone. a Haversian system.

Perforating (Volkmann's) Canals

large canals that connect the Haversian canals; also known as perforating canals; oriented across bones and perpendicular to Haversian canals

Periosteum

fibrous connective tissue membrane that surrounds and protects the shaft (diaphysis) of long bones

Remodeling

process through which adult bone can change in density, strength, and sometimes shape

Trabecular Bone

interior, spongy bone with a porous, honeycomb structure