Skeletal and Muscular System

Front

Cartilage Noun

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[kar-tl-ij]

Back

Cartilage

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A flexible connective tissue that cushions joints, provides structure, and comprises the embryonic skeleton before it becomes bone.

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Example: This image shows the smooth, white cartilage covering the ends of the bones in your knee joint, which helps them move without friction.

Front

Ligament Noun

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[lig-uh-muhnt]

Back

Ligament

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A short band of tough, flexible fibrous connective tissue that connects two bones or cartilages to hold a joint together.

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Example: This diagram shows a ligament, which is the tough tissue that connects one bone to another bone, providing stability to the joint.

Front

Tendon Noun

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[ten-duhn]

Back

Tendon

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A flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone, enabling movement.

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Example: This diagram shows how a tendon, the strong white cord, connects a muscle (the calf muscle) to a bone (the heel).

Front

Joint Noun

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[joint]

Back

Joint

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The location where two or more bones make contact, allowing for movement and providing mechanical support for the skeleton.

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Example: This diagram shows a joint, the place where two bones meet, with labels for key parts like cartilage and fluid that allow smooth movement.

Front

Periosteum Noun

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[per-ee-os-tee-uhm]

Back

Periosteum

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A dense layer of vascular connective tissue that envelops bones, except at joint surfaces, providing nourishment and sensation.

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Example: This image shows a magnified cross-section of a bone, with a label clearly pointing to the periosteum, the thin outer membrane covering the bone.

Front

Compact Bone Noun

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[kom-pakt bohn]

Back

Compact Bone

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The dense, hard outer layer of bone tissue that provides strength, protection, and structural support to the skeleton.

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Example: This diagram shows an osteon, the building block of compact bone, with its central canal containing blood vessels and nerves, surrounded by concentric layers called lamellae.

Front

Spongy Bone Noun

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[spuhn-jee bohn]

Back

Spongy Bone

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The porous, less dense inner layer of bone tissue found at the ends of long bones, which contains bone marrow.

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Example: This cross-section of a bone shows spongy bone, the porous inner layer, contrasted with the dense outer layer of compact bone.

Front

Bone Marrow Noun

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[bohn mar-oh]

Back

Bone Marrow

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The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones, responsible for producing blood cells and storing fat for energy reserves.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of a bone, highlighting the soft tissue inside called bone marrow, and distinguishing between red and yellow types.

Front

Osteoblast Noun

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[os-tee-oh-blast]

Back

Osteoblast

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A specialized cell responsible for synthesizing and mineralizing new bone tissue, crucial for bone growth and repair processes.

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Example: This diagram shows an osteoblast, a special cell that builds new bone tissue, and its location within a bone like the femur.

Front

Osteoclast Noun

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[os-tee-oh-klast]

Back

Osteoclast

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A large bone cell that absorbs and breaks down bone tissue, a process essential for maintenance, repair, and remodeling.

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Example: This diagram shows an osteoclast, a large cell that breaks down old bone tissue, as part of the bone remodeling process in the femur.