Vocabulary Terms: Skeletal System
1. bone – Connective tissue which provides support and
structure to the human body.
2. periosteum – Membrane which covers the surface of the
bone.
3. marrow – Red or yellow tissue in bones which produces
red and white blood cells.
4. spongy bone – Porous, lightweight tissue found in bones.
5. compact bone – Tough, hard bone; contains bone cells
and blood vessels.
6. cartilage – Tough, flexible tissue which covers the ends of
bones and acts as a shock absorber.
7. joint – The place where two or more bones connect.
8. ligament – Tough band of tissue that holds bones
together.
9. hinge joint – Joint which allows a back and forth
movement.
10. ball and socket joint – Joint which allows movement in
nearly all directions; ball-like bone fits into the
socket end of another bone.
11. fixed joint – Joint which does not move.
12. gliding joint – Joint which allows bones to slide forward,
backward, and sideways.
13. pivot joint – Joint which produces a rotating or rolling
motion.
14. long bones – Cylinder-shaped bones which support weight
and aid in movement.
15. short bones – Small bones which slide easily over one
another to allow for movement.
16. flat bones – The flat design of these bones helps protect
internal organs.
Vocabulary Terms: Muscular System
1. muscle – An organ of the body that is made of muscle
tissue; this tissue contracts to produce motion.
2. skeletal muscle – Muscle tissue attached to the bones; the
muscles that make the bones move.
3. smooth muscle – Muscle tissue that lines the walls of the
stomach, intestines, and blood vessels.
4. cardiac muscle – Muscle tissue found only in the heart.
5. voluntary muscle – A muscle that you can control.
6. involuntary muscle – Muscles that cannot be consciously
controlled.
7. tendon – A thick band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a
bone.
8. contract – To become shorter or smaller.
9. relax – To become less rigid or tense.