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BIO 304 · Human Anatomy & Physiology

Bone Tissue & Bone Growth

Skeletal System · Module 5

A reference for the Bone Tissue video. Bone is a living, organ-system-active tissue. It builds, breaks down, and rebuilds throughout your life; it stores calcium and houses the marrow.

How to use this sheet Toggle the toolbar above. Notes prints the full reference for review. Study prints as a fill-in-the-blank worksheet , print it, then write each definition while you watch the video or read your book. Quiz me is on-screen typing practice; type the term, click Reveal to check yourself.

Open spaced recall

By the end
  1. Name the four bone cell types and the role of each in bone turnover.
  2. Distinguish compact from spongy bone by structure and function.
  3. Contrast intramembranous and endochondral ossification, and locate the epiphyseal plate.
Anterior view of the body and face labeled with upper-body regions: cranial, frontal, orbital, nasal, buccal, oris, mental, cervical, acromial, deltoid, axillary, brachial, antecubital, antebrachial, carpal, digital, mammary, sternal, abdominal, umbilical.
Anterior · upper body & face
Anterior view of the body labeled with lower-body regions: pelvic, inguinal, pubic, coxal, pollex, femoral, patellar, fibular, crural, tarsal, plantar, digital toes, and hallux.
Anterior · lower body
Posterior view labeled occipital, cervical, scapular, vertebral, lumbar, sacral, glu#0B1530, femoral, popli#0B1530, sural, tarsal, calcaneal; lateral head view labeled otic, buccal, occipital, cervical.
Posterior & lateral head

Click any image to enlarge.


Bone Cells & Matrix

Four bone cells

  • Osteogenic (osteoprogenitor)stem cells in periosteum & endosteum; divide into osteoblasts
  • Osteoblastbone builder; secretes osteoid (collagen + ground substance)
  • Osteocytemature bone cell trapped in lacuna; maintains matrix
  • Osteoclastmultinucleate giant cell; dissolves bone (resorption)

Matrix composition

  • Organic (~33%)osteoid: collagen fibers + ground substance · tensile strength
  • Inorganic (~67%)hydroxyapatite (calcium phosphate crystals) · compression strength

Compact bone

  • Osteon (Haversian system)cylindrical unit of compact bone
  • Central canalruns lengthwise; blood vessels and nerves
  • Lamellaeconcentric rings of matrix
  • Lacunaesmall spaces housing osteocytes
  • Canaliculitiny channels connecting lacunae; nutrient diffusion
  • Perforating (Volkmann) canalsrun perpendicular; connect central canals

Growth & Remodeling

Spongy (cancellous) bone

  • Trabeculaelattice of bony struts; aligned along stress lines
  • No osteonsosteocytes nourished by diffusion from marrow spaces
  • Houses red marrowhematopoiesis — blood cell production

Ossification

  • Intramembranousbone forms directly from mesenchyme · flat skull bones, clavicle
  • Endochondralcartilage model is replaced by bone · most bones
  • Primary ossification centerin diaphysis (shaft); forms first
  • Secondary ossification centerin each epiphysis (end)

Growth in length & width

  • Epiphyseal (growth) platecartilage between epiphysis and diaphysis; longitudinal growth
  • Epiphyseal lineclosed growth plate — growth stopped (late teens/early 20s)
  • Appositional growthosteoblasts add bone under periosteum; bone grows wider

Calcium homeostasis

  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH)low blood Ca²⁺ → PTH ↑ → osteoclasts active → Ca²⁺ up
  • Calcitoninhigh blood Ca²⁺ → calcitonin → deposits Ca²⁺ into bone
  • Vitamin Denables Ca²⁺ absorption from the gut
Dr. Sharilyn Rennie BIO 304 · Module 5 · Bone Tissue