Skeletons: Glossary

A

appendicular skeleton

The bones that allow movement - hands, arms, feet, legs, shoulder and pelvic girdle

axial skeleton

The bones in the center of our bodies - ribs, sternum, skill, spine - that protect our internal organs and keep us upright

B

ball and socket joint

A joint that allows wide range of movement, such as at the shoulder and hip

bone marrow

the jelly-like substance inside the bones where red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are made

C

calcium

a basic element found in plants and animals

cancellous bone

the spongy layer of bone between the compact bone and the bone marrow

cartilage

a strong fibrous material connecting joints

compact bone

The layer of the bone just below the surface, containing the smooth, hard part that you see when you look at a skeleton

E

elastic

stretchy

exoskeleton

a strong external covering on some animals

F

feature

characteristic or property

fibrous

containing fibers

H

hinge joint

A joint that allows one-way movement, as in the elbow and knee

I

invertebrates

animals that have no backbone

J

joint

the location where two bones meet

L

ligaments

bands that join one bone to another at a joint

M

marrow

center of bone material; creates blood and platelets

minerals

inorganic natural matter

P

periosteum

The thin, outer surface of a bone, containing nerves and blood vessels

protect

keep safe

S

series

a group of things in a particular order

skeletal system

the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage make up the skeletal system

spine

backbone

support

keep strong or in place

T

tendons

a fibrous tissue that attaches bones to muscles

tissues

groups of cells of the same type in living organisms

V

vertebrae

33 ring-shaped bones that make up the backbone

vertebrates

animals that have a backbone