4.1 Learning the Key Terms

osteon

a Haversian system

medullary cavity

central hollow in the long bones

cortical bone

dense, solid bone that covers the outer surface of all bones and is the primary form of bone tissue in the long bones

articular cartilage

dense, white, connective tissue covering the articulating surfaces of bones at points

periosteum

fibrous connective tissue membrane that surrounds and protects the shaft of long bones

epiphyseal plate

growth plate near the ends of long bones where osteoblast activity increases bone length

haversian system

includes a single Haversian canal along with its multiple canaliculi, which branch out to join with lacunae, forming a comprehensive transportation matrix for supply of nutrients and removal of waste products

trabecular bone

interior, spongy bone with a porous, honeycomb structure

perforating (Volkmann´s) canals

large canals that connect the Haversian canals; oriented across bones and perpendicular to Haversian canals

haversian canals

major passageways running in the direction of the length of long bones, providing paths for blood vessels

bone marrow

material with a rich blood supply found within the marrow cavity of long bones

osteocytes

mature bone cells

ossification

process of bone formation

remodeling

process through which adult bone can change in density, strength, and sometimes shape

osteoblasts

specialized bone cells that build new bone tissue

osteoclasts

specialized bone cells that resorb bone tissue

epiphysis

the bulbous end of a long bone

hematopoiesis

the process of bone cell formation

diaphysis

the shaft of a long bone

lacunae

tiny cavities laid out in concentric circles around the Haversian canals