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Chapter 6 Overview of the skeleton
Skeletal Cartilages
Basic Structure, Types, and Locations
The human skeleton initially consists of just Hyaline Cartilage, which is replaced by bone except in areas
requiring ffexibility
Skeletal Cartilage is highly resilient and consists primarily of
water Skeletal Cartilage contains no blood vessels or nerves
Perichondrium is a layer of Dense CT that surrounds cartilage. Perichondrium contains blood vessels for
nutrient delivery to cartilage
Cartilage is made up of chondrocytes
Chondrocytes are cells encased in small cavities (lacunae) within jelly-like
extracellular matrix Three types of cartilage
1. Hyaline cartilage
2. Elastic cartilage
3. Fibrocartilage
Hyaline cartilage provides support, ffexibility, and resilience
Hyaline cartilage is the most abundant type of cartilage and contains collagen
fibers only Location of Hyaline Cartilage:
Articular cartilage = ends of long bones at
joints Costal cartilage = between ribs
and sternum Respiratory cartilage =
larynx and trachea Nasal cartilage = tip
of nose
Elastic cartilage is similar to hyaline cartilage but contains elastic
fibers Location of Elastic Cartilage:
External ear
Epiglottis
Fibrocartilage contains thick collagen fibers and has great tensile
strength Location of Fibrocartilage:
Menisci of
knee
Vertebral
discs Pubic
symphysis
Functions of Bones:
Support
Leg bones act as pillars
, Bones cradle soft organs
Rib cage supports thoracic wall
Protection
Cranial bones protect brain
Vertebral column protects spinal
cord Rib cage and pelvis protects
vital organs
Anchorage
Tendons attach (anchor) muscles to
bones Muscles use bones as levers to
move body parts Design of joints
determines movement Ligaments
attach (anchor) bones to bones
Mineral storage makes bones reservoirs for minerals
such as Calcium
Phosphorus
There are continual deposits and withdrawals of Ca/P to bone
matrix Mineralized bone matrix stores important growth factors
Blood cell formation = Hematopoiesis
Blood cell formation occurs in red bone marrow of spongy bone in certain
bones Includes the production of RBCs, WBCs, Platelets
Triglyceride (fat) storage is stored in medullary cavity
Stored fat is used for an energy source and is called /ellow marrow (“sweet marrow”)
Hormone production
Osteocalcin is a hormone secreted by
bones Osteocalcin helps to regulate
Insulin
secretion
Glucose
levels
Metabolism
Classification of
Bones 206 bones in
body
Divided into 2 groups based on location
1. Axial Skeleton
2. Appendicular Skeleton
Axial skeleton is the bones of the long axis of body
1. Skull
2. Vertebral column
3. Rib cage