Skeletal and Muscular System

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Axial Skeleton Noun

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[ak-see-uhl skel-i-tn]

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Axial Skeleton

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The part of the skeleton comprising the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum, which forms the main axis of the body.

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Example: This diagram highlights the axial skeleton in blue, showing its main parts: the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage, which form the body's central axis.

Front

Appendicular Skeleton Noun

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[ap-en-dik-yuh-ler skel-i-tn]

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Appendicular Skeleton

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The portion of the skeleton consisting of the bones that support the appendages, including the shoulder and pelvic girdles.

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Example: This diagram shows the appendicular skeleton, which includes the bones of the arms, legs, hands, feet, and the shoulder and pelvic girdles.

Front

Hematopoiesis Noun

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[hee-muh-toh-poi-ee-sis]

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Hematopoiesis

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The biological process of forming new blood cellular components, which primarily takes place within the bone marrow.

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Example: This diagram shows the inside of a bone, highlighting the red bone marrow, which is the specific location where hematopoiesis (the creation of new blood cells) occurs.

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Osteogenic Cells Noun

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[os-tee-oh-jen-ik selz]

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Osteogenic Cells

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Undifferentiated stem cells found in bone tissue that have the ability to develop into bone-forming osteoblasts.

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Example: This diagram shows an osteogenic cell, a stem cell that develops into an osteoblast, which is a cell that forms new bone tissue.

Front

Osteoblasts Noun

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[os-tee-oh-blasts]

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Osteoblasts

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Specialized cells responsible for synthesizing and mineralizing new bone matrix, contributing to bone growth and repair.

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Example: This diagram shows osteoblasts as cells that line the bone surface and are responsible for bone formation, building new bone tissue.

Front

Osteocytes Noun

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[os-tee-oh-sights]

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Osteocytes

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Mature bone cells, derived from osteoblasts, that become embedded within the bone matrix to maintain its structure.

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Example: This diagram shows that osteocytes are mature bone cells located within spaces called lacunae inside the bone matrix, alongside other types of bone cells.

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Osteoclasts Noun

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[os-tee-oh-klasts]

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Osteoclasts

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Large, multinucleated cells responsible for the breakdown and resorption of bone tissue, essential for bone remodeling.

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Example: This image shows a large cell called an osteoclast on the surface of bone, where it has created a 'resorption bay' by breaking down bone tissue.

Front

Compact Bone Noun

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[kom-pakt bohn]

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Compact Bone

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

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Example: This cross-section of a bone shows compact bone as the dense, hard outer layer, contrasting it with the porous spongy bone on the inside.

Front

Cancellous Bone Noun

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[kan-suh-luhs bohn]

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Cancellous Bone

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The porous, honeycomb-like inner layer of bone, also called spongy bone, which contains bone marrow and blood vessels.

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Example: This image shows a cross-section of a bone, clearly labeling the inner, porous 'spongy bone' (cancellous bone) and the dense outer 'compact bone'.

Front

Epiphyseal Plate Noun

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[ep-uh-fiz-ee-uhl pleyt]

Back

Epiphyseal Plate

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A hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone, responsible for longitudinal bone growth.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of a long bone, highlighting the epiphyseal plate (labeled 'Growth plate') located between the epiphysis and the diaphysis.