Skeletal System - Vocabulary

Question 1

Acetabulum

Answer 1

the socket of the hipbone, into which the head of the femur fits.

Question 2

Acromion

Answer 2

the projection of the scapula (the shoulder blade) that forms the point of the shoulder.

Question 3

Articular Cartilage

Answer 3

a thin layer of specialized connective tissue with unique viscoelastic properties.

Question 4

Articulation

Answer 4

the location where two or more bones meet and join.

Question 5

Bone

Answer 5

a rigid organ that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals.

Question 6

Bone Depression

Answer 6

a dent or superficial hole in a bone.

Question 7

Bone Process

Answer 7

a generic term for a projection that sticks out of a bone with no other identifiable category.

Question 8

Bursa

Answer 8

an important lubricated fluid-filled thin sac located between bone and surrounding soft tissue that reduces friction between tissues of the body.

Question 9

Calcium

Answer 9

an essential element that serves an important role in skeletal mineralization.

Question 10

Cancellous Bone

Answer 10

a bone that is made up of spongy, porous, bone tissue that is filled with primarily red bone marrow.

Question 11

Cartilage

Answer 11

a tough, flexible tissue that lines joints and gives structure to the nose, ears, larynx, and other parts of the body.

Question 12

Compact Bone

Answer 12

also known as cortical bone, this hard-outer layer is strong and dense.

Question 13

Cranial Bones

Answer 13

the most cephalad aspect of the axial skeleton.

Question 14

Diaphysis

Answer 14

the long tubular structure in all long bones.

Question 15

Disk

Answer 15

a cushion of fibrocartilage and the principal joint between two vertebrae in the spinal column.

Question 16

Epiphyseal Plate

Answer 16

a hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone.

Question 17

Epiphysis

Answer 17

the enlarged wide end of a long bone that articulates with other bones at joints.

Question 18

Facial Bones

Answer 18

any of the bones of the facial region of the skull that do not take part in forming the braincase.

Question 19

Fontanelle

Answer 19

gaps are composed of membranous connective tissue that form in babies.

Question 20

Foramen Magnum

Answer 20

the largest foramen of the skull.

Question 21

Haverisan Canals

Answer 21

a series of microscopic tubes in the outermost region of bone called cortical bone.

Question 22

Ligament

Answer 22

a fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone.

Question 23

Malleolus

Answer 23

a bony projection with a shape likened to a hammer head, especially each of those on either side of the ankle.

Question 24

Manubrium

Answer 24

the uppermost segment of the sternum of humans and many other mammals that is a somewhat triangular flattened bone with anterolateral borders which articulate with the clavicles.

Question 25

Mastoid Process

Answer 25

a bony projection on the temporal bone—located behind your ears on each side of your skull.

Question 26

Medullary Cavity

Answer 26

the central cavity of bone shafts where red bone marrow and/or yellow bone marrow (adipose tissue) is stored

Question 27

Meniscus

Answer 27

a crescent-shaped, cartilaginous band between the medial tibial and medial femoral condyle.

Question 28

Metaphysis

Answer 28

the trumpet-shaped end of long bones.

Question 29

Olecranon

Answer 29

the large process of the ulna that projects behind the elbow, forms the bony prominence of the elbow, and receives the insertion of the triceps muscle.

Question 30

Ossification

Answer 30

the process of creating bone, that is of transforming cartilage (or fibrous tissue) into bone.

Question 31

Osteoblasts

Answer 31

cells that build bone.

Question 32

Osteoclast

Answer 32

cells that destroy bone.

Question 33

Periosteum

Answer 33

a fibrous sheath that covers bones.

Question 34

Red Bone Marrow

Answer 34

contains blood stem cells that can become red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

Question 35

Ribs

Answer 35

the bony framework of the thoracic cavity.

Question 36

Sella Turcica

Answer 36

a midline depression in the sphenoid bone which contains the pituitary gland and distal portion of the pituitary stalk.

Question 37

Sinus

Answer 37

a channel that is not a blood or lymphatic vessel that allows for the passage of blood or lymph.

Question 38

Styloid Process

Answer 38

a slender osseous projection that points anteroinferiorly from the inferior surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone.

Question 39

Suture

Answer 39

fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull.

Question 40

Suture Joint

Answer 40

the fibrous joint that joins the bones of the skull to each other (except the mandible).

Question 41

Synovial Cavity

Answer 41

the joint cavity contains synovial fluid, secreted by the synovial membrane (synovium), which lines the articular capsule. this fluid-filled space is the site at which the articulating surfaces of the bones contact each other.

Question 42

Synovial Fluid

Answer 42

a viscous, non-Newtonian fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints.

Question 43

Synovial Joint

Answer 43

a type of joint that allows for free movement in multiple planes.

Question 44

Synovial Membrane

Answer 44

a layer of connective tissue that lines the cavities of joints, tendon sheaths, and bursae (fluid-filled sacs between tendons and bones).

Question 45

Synovial Joint

Answer 45

a synovial joint that allows the complex movements necessary for life. ex: teeth grinding, jaw injuries, arthritis and everyday wear and tear.

Question 46

Tendon

Answer 46

a fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Question 47

Vertebrae

Answer 47

back bones.

Question 48

Visceral Muscle

Answer 48

any of the muscles that work automatically and are found in the organs of the body such as the stomach and lungs.

Question 49

Xiphoid Process

Answer 49

a small, triangular part of the sternum that starts out as cartilage and hardens as a person ages.

Question 50

Yellow Bone Marrow

Answer 50

made mostly of fat and contains stem cells that can become cartilage, fat, or bone cells.