Appendicular skeleton
Portion of the skeleton consisting of the pectoral girdle, the pelvic girdle, and the bones of the arms and legs.
Axial skeleton
Portion of the skeleton consisting of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.
Bursa
Sac filled with synovial fluid that decreases friction between a tendon and a bone.
Diaphysis
Shaft of a long bone containing a narrow canal filled with yellow bone marrow.
Epiphysis
End of a long bone.
Fontanels
Also known as soft spots, fibrous connective tissue between flat bones in the developing cranium.
Joint
Area where adjacent bones meet or articulate.
Ligament
Fibrous connective tissue that connects bone to bone.
Ossification
Process of bone formation.
Osteoblasts
Principal bone-building cells.
Osteoclasts
Large cells that break down bone matrix.
Osteocytes
Mature bone cells.
Periosteum
Dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones except at the joints.
Synovial membrane
Connective tissue membrane that lines joint cavities and secretes synovial fluid.
Tendon
Tough, white, cordlike tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
