BIO102 Unit 6
Skeletal System
Glossary
appendicular skeleton
portion of the skeleton forming the upper extremities, the pectoral girdle, the lower extremities
and the pelvic girdle.
axial skeleton
portion of the skeleton forming the skull, the vertebral column, the sternum and the ribs.
compact bone
bone in which cells, separated by a matrix of collagen and mineral deposits, are located within
osteons.
diaphysis
the shaft of a long bone
elastic cartilage
the most flexible type of cartilage found in ear flaps and the epiglottis.
epiphysis
the ends of a long bone
fibrocartilage
type of cartilage that is stronger than hyaline cartilage found in the discs in vertebrae and knee
joints.
hyaline cartilage
type of cartilage containing a matrix with collagen fibers found at the end of long bones, nose,
trachea and larynx.
lacunae
spaces within the osteons that contain osteocytes..
osteoblasts
bone cells that form matrix and collagen fibers; remove calcium from the blood.
osteoclasts
bone cells that are derived from monocytes that breakdown bone and release calcium into the
blood.
osteocyte
a mature bone cell found in lacunae
osteon
concentric rings of compact bone composed of a calcified matrix surrounding blood vessels.
red bone marrow
tissue located in the cavities of spongy bone where blood cells are produced.
spongy bone
type of bone tissue that is composed of a latticework of thin plates called trabeculae filled with
red bone marrow.
trabeculae
latticelike thin plates which form the structure of spongy bone.