D203 Anatomy & Physiology
2025/2026
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, WGU D203 Anatomy &D203
Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
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1. appendicular skele- made up of the bones of the extremities (arms and legs). Appended to the
ton axial skeleton.
2. Axial skeleton made up of the bones along the center, or axis, of your body.
3. Compact bone tis- forms the extremely hard outside layer of bones, gives bone its smooth, dense,
sue solid appearance. It accounts for about 80% of the total bone mass of the adult
skeleton.
4. Spongy bone tissue fills part or all the interior of many bones. They are porous like a sponge,
containing an irregular network of spaces, much less dense than compact
bone. It has a greater surface area than compact bone but makes up 20% of
bone mass.
5. Long bones consist of a long shaft, are cylinder like in cross-section, and are (usually)
expanded at either end. Act as levers for the skeletal muscles to act upon.
6. Short bones Equal in width and length. Mainly composed of spongy bones surrounded by
a thin layer of compact bone.
7. Flat bones Smooth, with thin bones comprising two thin and flat plates of compact bone,
between which lies a layer of spongy bone.
8. Irregular bones Elaborate in shape and thus cannot be classified into any of the other cate-
gories.
9. Sesamoid bones Small or bony nodules embedded in a tendon where they pass over an angular
structure, such as the knee, hand, wrist, or foot.
10. Joint Where two bones come together. Divided into three categories based on their
range of movement: immovable, partly movable, and movable.
11. Cartilaginous joints are connected by hyaline cartilage and have no joint cavity. (Example: joints
between adjacent vertebrae in the spine)
2025/2026
, WGU D203 Anatomy &D203
Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
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12. Fibrous joints are connected by dense connective tissue and have no joint cavity. (Examples:
skull, rib cage)
13. Synovial joints have a fluid-filled cavity called a bursa that surrounds and provides cushion for
articulating bones. (Examples: hips, knee joints)
14. Cartilage The tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of the bones of movable joints
and protects bones by preventing them from rubbing against each other.
15. Ligament Connective tissue that binds one bone to another. Helps hold structures to-
gether and allows for side-to-side stability.
16. Tendon a connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone. Aids in the movement of the
bone or structure.
17. Skeletal Muscle Voluntary movement, produces heat, protects organs. Attached to bones and
around entrance points to body (e.g., mouth).
18. Cardiac Muscle Involuntary movement, contracts to pump blood located in the heart only.
19. Smooth Muscle Involuntary movement, moves food, involuntary control of respiration, moves
secretions, regulates flow of blood in arteries by contraction located in the
walls of major organs and passageways.
20. Muscle contraction The tightening or shortening of your muscle.
21. Muscle relaxation Occurs when the muscle returns to its normal state.
22. Sliding filament Describes the process of muscle contraction and relaxation. When signaled by
theory the brain, a skeletal muscle contracts as the thin filaments, or fibers, are pulled
and then slide past the thick filaments within the fiber's sarcomeres.
23. Sarcomeres Small units of muscle tissue that shorten (contract). They relax by returning to
normal.
2025/2026
2025/2026
Exam Prep Guide
(Expert Verified Questions and
Answers)
Plus A+ Grade Guarantee
, WGU D203 Anatomy &D203
Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hxet82
1. appendicular skele- made up of the bones of the extremities (arms and legs). Appended to the
ton axial skeleton.
2. Axial skeleton made up of the bones along the center, or axis, of your body.
3. Compact bone tis- forms the extremely hard outside layer of bones, gives bone its smooth, dense,
sue solid appearance. It accounts for about 80% of the total bone mass of the adult
skeleton.
4. Spongy bone tissue fills part or all the interior of many bones. They are porous like a sponge,
containing an irregular network of spaces, much less dense than compact
bone. It has a greater surface area than compact bone but makes up 20% of
bone mass.
5. Long bones consist of a long shaft, are cylinder like in cross-section, and are (usually)
expanded at either end. Act as levers for the skeletal muscles to act upon.
6. Short bones Equal in width and length. Mainly composed of spongy bones surrounded by
a thin layer of compact bone.
7. Flat bones Smooth, with thin bones comprising two thin and flat plates of compact bone,
between which lies a layer of spongy bone.
8. Irregular bones Elaborate in shape and thus cannot be classified into any of the other cate-
gories.
9. Sesamoid bones Small or bony nodules embedded in a tendon where they pass over an angular
structure, such as the knee, hand, wrist, or foot.
10. Joint Where two bones come together. Divided into three categories based on their
range of movement: immovable, partly movable, and movable.
11. Cartilaginous joints are connected by hyaline cartilage and have no joint cavity. (Example: joints
between adjacent vertebrae in the spine)
2025/2026
, WGU D203 Anatomy &D203
Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hxet82
12. Fibrous joints are connected by dense connective tissue and have no joint cavity. (Examples:
skull, rib cage)
13. Synovial joints have a fluid-filled cavity called a bursa that surrounds and provides cushion for
articulating bones. (Examples: hips, knee joints)
14. Cartilage The tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of the bones of movable joints
and protects bones by preventing them from rubbing against each other.
15. Ligament Connective tissue that binds one bone to another. Helps hold structures to-
gether and allows for side-to-side stability.
16. Tendon a connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone. Aids in the movement of the
bone or structure.
17. Skeletal Muscle Voluntary movement, produces heat, protects organs. Attached to bones and
around entrance points to body (e.g., mouth).
18. Cardiac Muscle Involuntary movement, contracts to pump blood located in the heart only.
19. Smooth Muscle Involuntary movement, moves food, involuntary control of respiration, moves
secretions, regulates flow of blood in arteries by contraction located in the
walls of major organs and passageways.
20. Muscle contraction The tightening or shortening of your muscle.
21. Muscle relaxation Occurs when the muscle returns to its normal state.
22. Sliding filament Describes the process of muscle contraction and relaxation. When signaled by
theory the brain, a skeletal muscle contracts as the thin filaments, or fibers, are pulled
and then slide past the thick filaments within the fiber's sarcomeres.
23. Sarcomeres Small units of muscle tissue that shorten (contract). They relax by returning to
normal.
2025/2026
