Chapter 6 Study Guide
1. Describe the structure and layers of skeletal cartilage.
Thin, avascular, flexible and resistant to compressive forces. The outer layer of the perichondrium contains
collagen producing fibroblasts and the inner layer contains chondroblasts.
2. Name the 3 types of skeletal cartilage and where they are found. How does each type’s structure relate to its
function?
Hyaline cartilage – provides support
Most abundant type; contains only collagen fibers
Articular (joints), costal (ribs), respiratory (larynx), nasal cartilage (nose tip)
Elastic cartilage – provides elasticity
Similar to hyaline cartilage, but contains elastic fibers
External ear and epiglottis
Fibrocartilage – provides cushion
Thick collagen fibers: has great tensile strength
Menisci of knee; vertebral discs
3. Define appositional growth and interstitial growth.
Appositional growth (on the surface)- Cartilage-forming cells in perichondrium secrete matrix against external
face of existing cartilage
Interstitial growth (from within)- Chondrocytes within lacunae divide and secrete new matrix, expanding
cartilage
4. List and describe the 7 important functions of bones.
Support, Protection, Movement, Mineral growth and factor storage, Blood cell formation, and hormone
production.
5. Define the axial and appendicular skeleton.
Axial skeleton- long axis of body
Appendicular skeleton- Bones of upper and lower limbs
6. Name and describe the 4 bone shapes. Give examples for each shape.
Long bones- Longer than they are wide. Limb bones
Short bones- Cube-shaped bones (in wrist and ankle)
Sesamoid bones- form within tendons (example: patella) Vary in size and number in different individuals
Flat bones- Thin, flat, slightly curved. Sternum, scapulae, ribs, most skull bones
Irregular bones- Complicated shapes. Vertebrae and hip (coxal) bones
7. Describe in detail the gross anatomy of short, irregular, and flat bones (figure 6.2).
Consist of thin plates of spongy bone (diploe) covered by compact bone. Compact bone sandwiched between
connective tissue membranes. Periosteum covers outside of compact bone. Endosteum covers inside portion of
compact bone. Bone marrow is scattered throughout spongy bone; no defined marrow cavity
8. Describe in detail the gross anatomy of long bones (figure 6.5).
, All long bones have a shaft (diaphysis), bone ends (epiphyses), and membranes. Diaphysis: tubular shaft that
forms long axis of bone. Consists of compact bone surrounding central medullary cavity that is filled with yellow
marrow in adults. Epiphyses: ends of long bones that consist of compact bone externally and spongy bone
internally. Articular cartilage covers articular (joint) surfaces. Between diaphysis and epiphysis is epiphyseal line
Remnant of childhood epiphyseal plate where bone growth occurs
9. What is the epiphyseal plate? At what age do they close for females? For males?
The growth plate. The close at around 18 years old for females and 21 years old for males.
10. Define the 3 types of bone markings.
Articulations- Smooth rounded surfaces where bones meet to form a joint.
Projections- Areas that extend outwards from the bone surface
Holes- Passages or cavities within the bone, allowing passage of blood vessels nerves and other structures.
11. What are the 5 major cell types found in bone tissue? What is the function of each and what type of cell are they
derived from?
Osteogenic- Stem cells that can differentiate into osteoblasts.
Osteoblasts- Bone-forming cells that secrete the organic matrix of bone.
Osteocytes- Mature bone cells that are trapped within the bone matrix and help maintain bone tissue and
communicate with other cells.
Osteoclasts- Large, multinucleated cells responsible for bone resorption.
Bone lining cells- Flattened, inactive osteoblasts that cover the bone surface and help maintain the matrix.
12. Describe in detail the microscopic anatomy of compact bone. Make sure to list the function for all structures we
discussed.
Cylindrical units called osteons composed of concentric rings of bone matrix surrounding a central canal
containing blood vessels and nerves, with osteocytes residing in lacunae and communicating via canaliculi.
13. Describe in detail the microscopic anatomy of spongy bone.
Consists of plates and bars of bone adjacent to small, irregular cavities that contain red bone marrow. The
canaliculi connect to the adjacent cavities, instead of a central haversian canal, to receive their blood supply.
14. What makes up the organic and inorganic components of bone?
The organic component primarily consists of collagen and ground substance, while the inorganic component is
mainly composed of hydroxyapatite.
15. What are sacrificial bonds?
Ionic bridges formed by divalent calcium ions between collagen molecules.
16. What is ossification? What are the 2 types?
The natural process of bone formation. Intramembraneous ossification and endochondral ossification.
1. Describe the structure and layers of skeletal cartilage.
Thin, avascular, flexible and resistant to compressive forces. The outer layer of the perichondrium contains
collagen producing fibroblasts and the inner layer contains chondroblasts.
2. Name the 3 types of skeletal cartilage and where they are found. How does each type’s structure relate to its
function?
Hyaline cartilage – provides support
Most abundant type; contains only collagen fibers
Articular (joints), costal (ribs), respiratory (larynx), nasal cartilage (nose tip)
Elastic cartilage – provides elasticity
Similar to hyaline cartilage, but contains elastic fibers
External ear and epiglottis
Fibrocartilage – provides cushion
Thick collagen fibers: has great tensile strength
Menisci of knee; vertebral discs
3. Define appositional growth and interstitial growth.
Appositional growth (on the surface)- Cartilage-forming cells in perichondrium secrete matrix against external
face of existing cartilage
Interstitial growth (from within)- Chondrocytes within lacunae divide and secrete new matrix, expanding
cartilage
4. List and describe the 7 important functions of bones.
Support, Protection, Movement, Mineral growth and factor storage, Blood cell formation, and hormone
production.
5. Define the axial and appendicular skeleton.
Axial skeleton- long axis of body
Appendicular skeleton- Bones of upper and lower limbs
6. Name and describe the 4 bone shapes. Give examples for each shape.
Long bones- Longer than they are wide. Limb bones
Short bones- Cube-shaped bones (in wrist and ankle)
Sesamoid bones- form within tendons (example: patella) Vary in size and number in different individuals
Flat bones- Thin, flat, slightly curved. Sternum, scapulae, ribs, most skull bones
Irregular bones- Complicated shapes. Vertebrae and hip (coxal) bones
7. Describe in detail the gross anatomy of short, irregular, and flat bones (figure 6.2).
Consist of thin plates of spongy bone (diploe) covered by compact bone. Compact bone sandwiched between
connective tissue membranes. Periosteum covers outside of compact bone. Endosteum covers inside portion of
compact bone. Bone marrow is scattered throughout spongy bone; no defined marrow cavity
8. Describe in detail the gross anatomy of long bones (figure 6.5).
, All long bones have a shaft (diaphysis), bone ends (epiphyses), and membranes. Diaphysis: tubular shaft that
forms long axis of bone. Consists of compact bone surrounding central medullary cavity that is filled with yellow
marrow in adults. Epiphyses: ends of long bones that consist of compact bone externally and spongy bone
internally. Articular cartilage covers articular (joint) surfaces. Between diaphysis and epiphysis is epiphyseal line
Remnant of childhood epiphyseal plate where bone growth occurs
9. What is the epiphyseal plate? At what age do they close for females? For males?
The growth plate. The close at around 18 years old for females and 21 years old for males.
10. Define the 3 types of bone markings.
Articulations- Smooth rounded surfaces where bones meet to form a joint.
Projections- Areas that extend outwards from the bone surface
Holes- Passages or cavities within the bone, allowing passage of blood vessels nerves and other structures.
11. What are the 5 major cell types found in bone tissue? What is the function of each and what type of cell are they
derived from?
Osteogenic- Stem cells that can differentiate into osteoblasts.
Osteoblasts- Bone-forming cells that secrete the organic matrix of bone.
Osteocytes- Mature bone cells that are trapped within the bone matrix and help maintain bone tissue and
communicate with other cells.
Osteoclasts- Large, multinucleated cells responsible for bone resorption.
Bone lining cells- Flattened, inactive osteoblasts that cover the bone surface and help maintain the matrix.
12. Describe in detail the microscopic anatomy of compact bone. Make sure to list the function for all structures we
discussed.
Cylindrical units called osteons composed of concentric rings of bone matrix surrounding a central canal
containing blood vessels and nerves, with osteocytes residing in lacunae and communicating via canaliculi.
13. Describe in detail the microscopic anatomy of spongy bone.
Consists of plates and bars of bone adjacent to small, irregular cavities that contain red bone marrow. The
canaliculi connect to the adjacent cavities, instead of a central haversian canal, to receive their blood supply.
14. What makes up the organic and inorganic components of bone?
The organic component primarily consists of collagen and ground substance, while the inorganic component is
mainly composed of hydroxyapatite.
15. What are sacrificial bonds?
Ionic bridges formed by divalent calcium ions between collagen molecules.
16. What is ossification? What are the 2 types?
The natural process of bone formation. Intramembraneous ossification and endochondral ossification.
