SKELETAL SYSTEM—General Information

Long Bone Structure

Description The shaft of the long bone is called the diaphysis, while each end is called an epiphysis. Covering
the diaphysis is a sheath of fibrous connective tissue called periosteum, which aids in the attachment
of muscles to bone. Covering each epiphysis is a smooth layer of hyaline cartilage that is more gen-
erally referred to as articular cartilage because it is used to form joints. This smooth surface helps
to reduce friction within the joint. Inside the diaphysis is a hollow chamber called the medullary
cavity. It contains yellow marrow, which consists mostly of fatty tissue that acts as a reserve fuel
supply for the body. Lining the inside of the medullary cavity is a thin cellular layer called the
endosteum, which contains both osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
There are two types of bone within the body—spongy and compact. Spongy bone can be found
within the epiphyses and lining the medullary cavity. Like a sponge, it is more porous, less organized,
and contains many open spaces within it. By contrast, compact bone is much more organized and
dense. It is much stronger than spongy bone and it constitutes the wall of the diaphysis. In adults, a
thin layer of compact bone is also found at the epiphyseal line. This marks where the epiphyseal
growth plate used to be located before it ossified.

Study Tip Epiphysis is the end of a long bone—“Epiphysis” and “End” both begin with the letter “e.”

Key to Illustration
1. Proximal epiphysis 5. Spongy bone 9. Endosteum
2. Diaphysis 6. Epiphyseal line 10. Yellow marrow
3. Distal epiphysis 7. Medullary cavity 11. Compact bone
4. Articular cartilage 8. Periosteum 12. Wedge of compact bone

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 SKELETAL SYSTEM—General Information
Long Bone Structure

5
R. L.

1
The humerus is
an example 6
of a long bone.

2 7

Color the
different 11
structures 9
different
colors.

3
4 10

Right humerus
posterior view

11
1. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
4. ________________________
5. ________________________ 12
6. ________________________
7. ________________________
8. ________________________
9. ________________________
10. ________________________
11. ________________________
12. ________________________

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SKELETAL SYSTEM—General Information
Osteon Structure

Description There are two types of bone within the body—spongy and compact. Spongy bone can be found
within the epiphyses and lining the medullary cavity. Like a sponge, it is more porous, less organized,
and contains many open spaces within it. By contrast, compact bone is much more organized and
dense. It is much stronger than spongy bone, and it constitutes the wall of the diaphysis.
Let’s examine compact bone in more detail. The individual units in compact bone are tall, cylin-
drical towers called osteons (Haversian systems). In the middle of each osteon is a central canal that
serves as a passageway for blood vessels. Around this canal are concentric rings of bony tissue called
lamellae. Along each of these rings at regular intervals are small spaces called lacunae, which contain
a mature bone cell or osteocyte. Branching between individual lacunae are smaller passageways
called canaliculi, which allow fluid with dissolved nutrients to travel to osteocytes.

Analogy Each surface of an osteon looks like a tree stump. Both structures are made of hard, dense materials.
Like the growth rings in a tree, the osteon has concentric rings called lamellae.

Key to Illustration
1. Osteon (Haversian system) 5. Spongy bone 9. Osteocyte
2. Lamellae 6. Communicating canal 10. Canaliculi
3. Collagen fibers 7. Central canal
4. Periosteum 8. Lacuna

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 SKELETAL SYSTEM—General Information
Osteon Structure

Wedge of
compact bone 4
Femur 2

7
1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________
4. _______________________
5. _______________________
6. _______________________
7. _______________________
8. _______________________
9. _______________________
10. _______________________

The surface of
8 9 10
an osteon looks Osteon
like a tree stump
superior view
(see p. 95).

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SKELETAL SYSTEM—Axial Skeleton
Skull—Lateral and Midsagittal Views

Key to Lateral View

Color the Bones (B) Processes,
different bones Projections (P)
to match your B1 Frontal bone
S1 textbook. P1 Mastoid process
B2 Parietal bone
P2 Styloid process
B1 B3 Occipital bone
F1 P3 Zygomatic arch
B4 Temporal bone
P4 Zygomatic process
B2 B7 B8 B5 Sphenoid of temporal bone
S2 B6
B6 Ethmoid P5 Temporal process
B7 Lacrimal bone of zygomatic bone
B9
S3 B5
F2 B8 Nasal bone Foramina (F)
B4 B10 F1 Supraorbital
B9 Maxilla
foramen
B3 B9 B10 Zygomatic bone
C1 F2 Infraorbital
B11 Mandible foramen

Sutures (S) F3 Mental foramen

P1 P4 B11 S1 Coronal suture Canal (C)
P2 P3
P5 S2 Squamous suture C1 External acoustic
F3 meatus (canal)
S3 Lambdoid suture
Skull
lateral view

Key to Midsaggital View

S1
Bones (B) Processes,
Projections (P)
B1 Frontal bone
B1 P1 Crista galli
SS1 B2 Parietal bone (of ethmoid )
B2 P1 B3 Occipital bone
B5 P2 Perpendicular
B6 B4 Temporal bone plate (of ethmoid )
C1
S3 SS2
B5 Sphenoid P3 Occipital condyle
B4
S2 P2
B6 Nasal bone Foramina (F)

B7 B9 F1 Jugular foramen
B7 Vomer

B8 Palatine bone Sinuses (SS)

B3 SS1 Frontal sinus
F1
B9 Maxilla
SS2 Sphenoidal sinus
B10 Mandible
B8 Canal (C)
P3 B10 Sutures (S)
C1 Internal acoustic
S1 Coronal suture meatus (canal)
Skull S2 Squamous suture
midsaggital view S3 Lambdoid suture

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 SKELETAL SYSTEM—Axial Skeleton
Skull—Anterior View

Color the Orbital Complex

different bones Seven bones (b.) form the bony
to match your orbit that encases the eye:
textbook.
• Frontal b. • Palatine b.
B1 • Maxilla • Sphenoid
• Lacrimal b. • Zygomatic b.
S1 • Ethmoid
F1 B6
B3 M L E S Z
S2 B2 B4 B5 C1 Nasal
bone

B2
B7
FS1

FS2
B8
B9

P1 F2
To recall five of these seven
B10 B11 B10 P2 bones from medial to lateral,
P3 use this mnemonic:

Make Maxilla
Lily Lacrimal b.
Eat = Ethmoid
Spinach, Sphenoid,
Zak! Zygomatic b.
B12

F3

Key to Illustration
Bones (B) B10 Maxilla Canal (C)

B1 Frontal bone B11 Vomer C1 Optic canal

B2 Sphenoid B12 Mandible Processes, Projections (P)

B3 Ethmoid Sutures (S) P1 Middle nasal concha

B4 Lacrimal bone S1 Coronal suture P2 Perpendicular process

of ethmoid
B5 Nasal bone S2 Squamous suture
P3 Inferior nasal concha
B6 Parietal bone Foramina (F)
Fissures (FS)
B7 Temporal bone F1 Supraorbital foramen
FS1 Superior orbital fissure
B8 Palatine bone F2 Infraorbital foramen
FS2 Inferior orbital fissure
B9 Zygomatic bone F3 Mental foramen

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SKELETAL SYSTEM—Axial Skeleton
Skull—Posterior View and Skullcap

P P

B1

S1

The term "coronal" means

"crown." A tiara (crown) on This
the head of a beauty queen suture
Color the follows the same direction
S2 B2 B2 is named
different bones as the coronal suture. after
to match your
the
textbook. S2
sagittal
plane
that
it
B2 B2
follows.

Skullcap
superior view

"Lambdoid" means resembling the

S3
Greek letter lambda
B3

P P
P1
In the posterior
O view, the skull
Skull looks like a
posterior view modified
"peace sign."

P = Parietal bone
O = Occipital bone

Key to Illustration
Bones (B) Sutures (S) Processes, Projections (P)

B1 Frontal bone S1 Coronal suture P1 Mastoid process

B2 Parietal bone S2 Sagittal suture

B3 Occipital bone S3 Lambdoid suture

116