Understanding Human Anatomy

provides structural support for the entire body; individual bones or groups of bones provide a framework for the attachment of soft tissues

calcium salts of bone represent a valuable mineral reserve that maintains normal concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions in body fluids

red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are produced in the red marrow, which fills the internal cavities of many bones

delicate tissues and organs are often surrounded by skeletal elements; the ribs protect the heart and lungs, the skull encloses the brain

changes the magnitude and direction of the forces generated by skeletal muscles

consisting of the bones of the skull, vertebral column, sternum, and ribs

consisting of the bones of the limbs and the associated bones that connect the limbs to the trunk at the shoulders and pelvis

bone; one of the supporting connective tissues

most of the volume is occupied by fibers

dense connective tissues; collagen fibers are the dominant fiber type

collagen fibers are packed tightly and aligned parallel to applied forces

tendons, aponeuroses, elastic tissue, and ligaments

cords of dense regular connective tissue that attach skeletal muscles to bones and cartilage

collagenous sheets or ribbons that resemble flat, broad tendons; may cover the surface of a muscle

contains large numbers of elastic fibers; the tissue has a springy, resilient nature because elastic fibers outnumber collagen fibers

resemble tendons, but they usually connect cartilage to cartilage, bone to cartilage, or one bone to another bone

fibers that form an interwoven meshwork and do not show any consistent pattern

formed by dense irregular connective tissue; thick, fibrous; surrounds many internal organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and spleen

contains blood cells and fragments of cells collectively known as formed elements

three types exist: (1) red blood cells, (2) white blood cells, and (3) platelets

single cell type; accounts for almost half the volume of blood

watery matrix of blood; contains small numbers of white blood cells, or leukocytes

include neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes

tiny membrane-enclosed packets of cytoplasm; contain enzymes and special proteins

vessels that carry blood away from the heart toward fine, thin-walled vessels called capillaries

fine, thin-walled vessels

vessels that drain the capillaries and return the blood to the heart, completing the circuit of blood

forms an interstitial fluid and then enters lymphatic vessels

small passageways that return lymph to the cardiovascular system

cartilage and bone; provide a strong framework that supports the rest of the body

a firm gel that contains complex polysaccharides called chondroitin sulfates