| A | B |
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| Articular Cartilage | The thin layer of hyaline cartilage covering the joint surface. Its function is to reduce friction during joint movement. |
| Bone | A type of connective tissue which provides support and protection for the soft tissues of the body as well as attachment points for skeletal muscles. |
| Bone Marrow | Tissue in the central cavity of the bone. It may be yellow marrow (a fat storage) or red bone marrow (site of hematopoiesis, the production of red blood cells) |
| Branch of Nutrient Artery | Nutrient arteries supply the interior of bones. |
| Concentric Lamellae | Layers of compact bone arranged concentrically around blood vessels in the Haversian canal. |
| Cortical Bone | The dense, compact outer layer of bone. It is essentially arranged as a tube, a shape that provides maximum strength for the bone with minimal weight. |
| Endosteum | A membrane lining the interior of bone. It contains cells (osteoclasts) which can reabsorb bone during growth and repair, as well as in disease states, such as osteoporosis. |
| Epiphyseal Line | A thin line of denser bone at the site of the former epiphyseal plate. Prior to maturity, the epiphyseal cartilage plates provided the site for bone elongation. |
| Haversian Canal | A longitudinally running canal which carries blood vessels to nourish the surrounding bone. Each is surrounded by concentric lamellae of bone to form an osteon. |
| Inner Circumferential Lamella | The inner layer of compact bone, adjacent to the spongy bone zone. |
| Interstitial Lamellae | Layers of bone between adjacent osteons. |
| Ligament | A band of dense connective tissue joining two bones. The collagen fibers are arranged in parallel to resist tensile forces. |
| Marrow Cavity | The deep interior of many bones is occupied either by fat (yellow bone marrow) or by blood-forming cells (red bone marrow) |
| Outer Circumferential Lamellae | A layer of lamellar bone at the outer surface of the compact bone, immediately deep to the periosteum. |
| Periosteal Artery | An artery supplying the periosteal membrane. |
| Periosteal Vein | A vein draining the periosteal membrane. |
| Periosteum | A connective tissue membrane surrounding bone at all points except where articular cartilage is present. It contains precursor cells which can generate new bone during remodeling and repair. Where close to the skin surface (e.g., the shin) it is exquisitely sensitive. |
| Spongy Bone | A network of bony spikes and bridges (trabeculae) in the interior of bones. Then network provides strength to resist compressive and tensile forces while minimizing weight. |
| Tendon | A dense connective tissue band which muscle inserts into bone. |
| Trabeculae of Spongy Bone | Bridges of spongy bone arranged along the usual lines of force (tendon or compression) to provide maximal strength with minimal weight. |
| Volkman's Canal | A vascular canal running through compact bone transversely or obliquely to the Haversian system. They join adjacent Haversian canals and connect the marrow cavity to the periosteum. |
| Articular Facet | The smooth surface of a bone that is covered by articular cartilage and takes part in a joint. |
| Articular Process | A general term for the (non-rounded) elevation of a bone that has a joint surface on it. |
| Condyle | A rounded projection at the end of a bone, incorporating a joint surface. |
| Crest | A ridge or linear elevation on a bone |
| Demifacet | A joint surface that is in the shape of a half moon |
| Eminence | A low, rounded projection of bone or internal organ |
| Epicondyle | The eminence of a bone lying immediately above its condyle |
| Foramen | An opening or hole in a bone, usually for transmission of nerves or vessels |
| Fossa | A depression on the surface of the body or bone |
| Process | A pointed projection of a bone. Some may have joint surfaces on them. |
| Ramus | A process of bone projecting like a branch from the main body of the bone. |
| Sesamoid Bone | A small bone usually embedded within a tendon. They may serve as pulleys, changing the direction of force applied by a muscle at a joint. The patella is a large example. |
| Suture | The line of junction of two bones by a fibrous joint. |
| Trochanter | On of two processes on the upper end of the femur. They provide attachment sites for muscles. |
| Tubercle | A medium-sized, rounded projection on a bone. |
| Tuberosity | A roughened projection of a bone. |
