Bone terminology

Bone terminology refers to the specific language and terms used to describe the various aspects, structures, and functions of bones within the field of anatomy and osteology. Understanding these terms is crucial for professionals in medicine, veterinary science, paleontology, and related fields.

Key Terms in Bone Terminology

General Terms

• Bone: A rigid organ that constitutes part of the vertebrate skeleton.
• Osteology: The study of the structure and function of the skeleton and bony structures.
• Skeleton: The internal framework composed of bones and cartilage in vertebrates.

Bone Structure

• Cortical bone: Also known as compact bone, it is the dense outer surface of bone that forms a protective layer around the internal cavity.
• Trabecular bone: Also known as spongy or cancellous bone, it is found at the ends of long bones and in the interiors of other bones, characterized by a porous, honeycomb structure.
• Periosteum: A dense layer of vascular connective tissue enveloping the bones except at the surfaces of the joints.
• Endosteum: A thin vascular membrane of connective tissue that lines the inner surface of the bony tissue that forms the medullary cavity of long bones.

Bone Cells

• Osteoblast: A cell that secretes the matrix for bone formation.
• Osteocyte: A mature bone cell, formed when an osteoblast becomes embedded in the matrix it has secreted.
• Osteoclast: A large multinucleate bone cell that absorbs bone tissue during growth and healing.

Bone Development and Growth

• Ossification: The process of bone formation.
• Epiphyseal plate: Also known as the growth plate, it is a hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone.
• Diaphysis: The shaft or central part of a long bone.
• Epiphysis: The end part of a long bone, initially growing separately from the shaft.

Bone Types

• Long bone: Bones that are longer than they are wide, such as the femur.
• Short bone: Bones that are as wide as they are long, providing support and stability with little movement, such as the carpals.
• Flat bone: Bones that are thin, flattened, and usually curved, such as the ribs.
• Irregular bone: Bones with complex shapes, such as the vertebrae.

Related Pages

• Anatomy
• Osteology
• Skeleton
• Bone
• Cortical bone
• Trabecular bone
• Periosteum
• Endosteum
• Osteoblast
• Osteocyte
• Osteoclast
• Ossification
• Epiphyseal plate
• Diaphysis
• Epiphysis
• Long bone
• Short bone
• Flat bone
• Irregular bone