Terminology Questions and Answers
2026-2027 Updated.
periosteum - Answer outermost layer of the bone, made up of fibrous tissue
compact bone - Answer dense, hard layers of bone tissue that lie underneath the periosteum
endosteum - Answer membranous lining of the hollow cavity of the bone
diaphysis - Answer shaft of the long bones
epiphysis - Answer end of each long bone
yellow marrow - Answer soft, fatty material found in the medullary cavity of long bones
maxilla - Answer upper jawbone
mandible - Answer lower jawbone
vertebral column - Answer made up of bones called vertebrae or vertebra though which the
spinal cord runs. The vertebral column protects the spinal cord, supports the head, and provides
the point of attachment for fibs and muscles
sacrum - Answer next five vertebrae, which fuse together to form a triangular bone positioned
between the two hip bones
coccyx - Answer four vertebrae fused together to form the tailbone
clavicle - Answer collarbone
scapula - Answer shoulder blade
sternum - Answer breast bone
, humerus - Answer upper arm bone
carpal bones - Answer wrist bones
metacarpal bones - Answer hand bones
ilium - Answer upper, wing-shaped part on each side
femur - Answer upper leg bone
patella - Answer kneecap
metatarsal bones - Answer foot bones
articular cartilage - Answer smooth layer of firm, fibrous tissue covering the contacting surface
joints
bursa - Answer fluid-filled sac that allows for easy movement of one part of a joint over
another
ligament - Answer flexible, tough band of fibrous connective tissue that attaches one bone to
another at a joint
aponeurosis - Answer strong sheet of tissue that acts as a tendon to attach muscles to bone
skeletal muscles (striated muscles) - Answer attached to bones by tendons and make body
movement possible. Skeletal muscles produce action by pulling and by working in pairs. They
are also known as voluntary muscles because we have control over these muscles
abduction - Answer movement of drawing away from the middle
roation - Answer turning around its own axis
carp/o - Answer carpals (wrist bones)
cost/o - Answer rib