Anatomy & Physiology 34A
Unit 3 Skeletal System Study Guide
Our third lecture exam will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions, which will include
questions about bone tissues, the axial and appendicular skeleton, as well as the joints of the
body. To prepare for the exam, you should be familiar with the following information from the
lecture notes and related textbook materials.
Bone Tissues
- Know the general organization of the skeletal system (axial & appendicular components)
- What types of tissues are found in the skeletal system?
- Describe the three types of cartilage and where each is found.
- What are the functions of bones? Why is calcium so important in the body?
- Differentiate between long, short, flat, and irregular bones. Give examples of each.
- Describe the structure of a typical long bone. What is found in the medullary cavity? What is
found in the spongy bone? What is its function?
- What are the organic and inorganic components of bone? Why are each important? What are
the different types of bone cells and their functions?
- Differentiate between spongy and compact bone tissues. Know the structures, locations, and
functions of each.
- Know the terms for the types of surface bone processes, projections, depressions, and openings.
- Compare and contrast intermembranous and endochondral ossification. From what type of
embryonic tissue does each develop? What steps are involved in each? How are they similar?
How do they differ? What types of bones are formed by each process?
- What is the metaphysis? What are the 5 zones of transformation, and what occurs in each zone?
- What is the secondary ossification center? Where are the epiphyseal plates found? What is
their purpose? What happens to the plates at 18-21 yrs. of age?
- What is appositional bone growth? How are osteoblasts and osteoclasts involved?
- What hormones, vitamins, and minerals affect bone growth? In what way does each affect
bone growth? Pay particular attention to how PTH and calcitonin work together to maintain a
balance between blood calcium levels and bone deposition.
- How and why does bone deposition and reabsorption take place in an adult?
- Know the types of fractures mentioned in lecture, and the process of fracture repair.
- Know the bone disorders (i.e.: osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteomyelitis, Paget’s
Disease, rickets, osteomalacia) mentioned in class. What are their symptoms? Risk factors?
Effects? Their treatments?
- How are the skin, liver, and kidneys involved in bone formation?
Axial Skeleton
- What are the three main regions of the axial skeleton?
- What are the two major sets of skull bones?
- Describe the cranium, including its cavities, fontanels, sutures, and 8 bones with their
associated structures. At what age do the fetal fontanels ossify?
- Describe the 12 facial bones (plus hyoid bone and auditory ossicles), their structures, and
locations. Which are paired or unpaired?
- What are the 4 main regions of the vertebral column? How many bones is each composed of?
- Differentiate between cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae, as well as the sacrum & coccyx.
What structures do they have in common? How do they differ?
- Know the general features of a typical vertebra. What is found between the vertebrae, what is it
composed of, and what is meant by a ruptured disc?
- What bones compose the thoracic cage? What major function does it serve?
- Describe the features of the sternum and ribs. What are true ribs, false ribs, and floating ribs?
- Differentiate between normal primary and secondary spinal curvatures.
- Know the disorders of the axial skeleton mentioned in lecture.
Appendicular Skeleton
- What are the major components of the appendicular skeleton?
- Describe the two bones that comprise the pectoral girdle, along with their structures.
- Describe the humerus and its parts, where it is located, and what it articulates with on its
proximal and distal ends.
- Describe the two bones of the forearm, their parts, and what they articulate with.
- Know the 8 carpal bones - proximal and distal from lateral to medial - as well as the palm and
finger bones.
- Describe the bones that comprise the pelvic girdle, along with their structures.
- How do male & female pelves differ?
- Describe the femur and its parts, where it is located, and what it articulates with on its proximal
and distal ends.
- Describe the patella, tibia, and fibula, their parts, and what they articulate with.
- Know the 7 bones of the ankle, as well as the foot and toe bones.
Joints (articulations)
- Know what tendons and ligaments are, as well as what they are composed of, and their
modifications.
- Compare and contrast the 3 functional joint classifications with the 3 structural classifications.
Give examples of each.
- Know the general structure of a synovial joint, the different types of these joints, and their
common movements (e.g., flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, etc.)
- Know the basic structures (articulations, ligaments, tendons, etc.) of the major joints mentioned
in lecture, especially the knee.
- Know what is meant by a sprain, strain, dislocation, bursitis, tendonitis, as well as the different
types of arthritis, and joint disorder treatments mentioned.