Ch.7 Key Terms
Appendicular skeleton
The part of the skeleton that includes the bones of the limbs (arms and legs), as well as the shoulder and pelvic girdles.
Axial skeleton
The part of the skeleton that consists of the bones of the head and trunk, including the skull, spine (vertebrae), ribs, and sternum.
Carpals
The eight small bones that make up the wrist (or carpus) that connect the hand to the forearm.
Clavicles:
The collarbones; a pair of long bones that connect the sternum (breastbone) to the scapula (shoulder blade).
Cranium:
The part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain.
Diaphysis:
The main or central shaft of a long bone.
Endosteum
A thin membrane that lines the inner surface of the medullary canal (marrow cavity) of a bone.
Epiphysis
The end part of a long bone, which is wider than the shaft.
Femur
The thigh bone; it is the longest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the human body.
Fibula
The smaller of the two bones in the lower leg, located on the outer (lateral) side, running parallel to the tibia.
Fontanels
The soft spots on an infant's skull, which are membranous gaps between the cranial bones that have not yet fused.
Foramina:
Openings or holes in bones that allow for the passage of nerves, blood vessels, or ligaments. (Singular: foramen).
Humerus:
The long bone in the upper arm, running from the shoulder to the elbow.
Joints
The areas where two or more bones meet, allowing for movement.
Ligaments
Tough, fibrous bands of connective tissue that connect one bone to another bone, stabilizing the joint.
Medullary canal:
The central, hollow cavity within the shaft (diaphysis) of a long bone, which contains bone marrow.
Metacarpals
The five long bones in the hand that connect the carpals (wrist bones) to the phalanges (finger bones).
Metatarsals
The five long bones in the foot that connect the tarsals (ankle bones) to the phalanges (toe bones).
Os coxae
The hip bones; large, irregular bones that form the pelvic girdle. Each is composed of three fused bones: the ilium, ischium, and pubis.
Patella
The kneecap; a small, triangular bone located in front of the knee joint.
Periosteum
A dense, fibrous membrane that covers the outer surface of bones, containing blood vessels and nerves.
Phalanges:
The bones that make up the fingers and toes. (Singular: phalanx).
Radius
The shorter of the two bones in the forearm, located on the thumb side.
Red marrow:
The spongy tissue found in the ends of long bones and in flat bones; it is responsible for producing blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).
Ribs
The set of 12 paired, curved bones that form the rib cage, protecting the heart and lungs.