Ch. 7.4 Skeletal System Key Terms
What is an appendicular skeleton?
Forms the extremities (limbs) and includes the shoulder girdle, arm bones, pelvic girdle, and leg bones.
What is an axial skeleton?
Forms the main trunk of the body, including the skull, spinal column, ribs, and breastbone.
What are carpals?
The eight bones of the wrist.
What are clavicles?
The two collarbones, attached to the sternum.
What is the cranium?
The spherical structure that surrounds and protects the brain.
What is the diaphysis?
The long shaft of a long bone.
What is the endosteum?
A membrane that lines the medullary canal, keeps the yellow marrow intact, and produces some bone growth.
What is the epiphysis?
The two extremities, or ends, of a long bone.
What is the femur?
The upper leg bone (thigh bone).
What is the fibula?
The slender smaller bone of the lower leg that attaches to the proximal end of the tibia.
What are fontanels?
Spaces in the cranium at birth, also called "soft spots," that allow for skull enlargement as the brain grows.
What are foramina?
Openings in bones that allow nerves and blood vessels to enter or leave the bone.
What is the humerus?
The bone of the upper arm.
What are joints?
Locations where bones meet and are held together by ligaments.
What are ligaments?
Connective tissue bands that help hold long bones together at joints.
What is the medullary canal?
A cavity in the diaphysis of a long bone.
What are metacarpals?
The five bones that form the palm of the hand.
What are metatarsals?
The five bones that form the instep of the foot.
What are the os coxae?
The coxal, or hip, bones, which form the pelvic girdle.
What is the patella?
The kneecap.
What is the periosteum?
A tough membrane covering the outside of the bone necessary for bone growth, repair, and nutrition.
What are phalanges?
The bones that form the fingers and toes.
What is the radius?
The bone of the lower arm on the thumb side that rotates around the ulna.
What is red marrow?
Found in certain bones where hematopoiesis (blood cell formation) takes place, producing blood cells.
What are ribs?
The 12 pairs of bones that attach to the thoracic vertebrae.