Lab Exercise 5: Bone and Cartilage Histology

Introduction: The adult human skeleton consists of 206 separate bones. The skeletal system is the
supporting framework of the body. It performs the following important functions: support, protection,
attachment sites for skeletal muscles, blood cell production and storage of minerals and fat. There are two
types of bony tissue: compact bone and spongy bone. Spongy bone is formed from thin plates of bone
called trabeculae that are interwoven in an irregular pattern. Red bone marrow fills the spaces within
spongy bone and is the main site of blood cell formation. Compact bone, as its name implies, is dense and
strong. Compact bone is organized into circular units called osteons which you will examine in this lab.

Assignment 1: label the picture of compact (some terms will be used more than once)
periosteum, osteon, lamellae, osteocyte, lacuna, central canal, blood vessel within central canal,
blood vessel within perforating canal, spongy bone, blood vessel in spongy bone, matrix.

4.
3.
1. 2.

5.
6.

7.

12 8.
. 9.
11. 10.

Answer key:
1. Lamellae 5. Lacuna 9. blood vessel within central canal
2. Osteon 6. Central canal 10. Central canal
3. Lamella 7. Blood vessel spongy bone 11. Perforating canal bld vessel
4. Osteocyte 8. Spongy bone 12. Periosteum
Assignment 2: Examine a prepared slide of compact bone in cross section.
Because the matrix of bone is impermeable yet vascular, living osteocytes send cytoplasmic
extensions through tiny cracks in the matrix, called canaliculi, to reach the blood vessels in the
central canal. Locate these canaliculi on the previous diagram and also in the prepared slide.
Locate and label the following structures: osteon, central canal, lacunae, canaliculi.
Where are the osteocytes?

Assignment 3: Examine a prepared slide of hyaline cartilage.

Because the matrix of cartilage is permeable, the cells in their lacunae can rely on diffusion for nutrients.
Locate and label the following: matrix, chondrocyte, lacuna. What does the term avascular mean?

Assignment 4: Along the right side of this page, sketch a picture of a long bone.
You will need to reference from your text book
in order to label and color the following structures
in your drawing: articular cartilage (blue),
proximal epiphysis (red), diaphysis (white),
distal epiphysis (red), nutrient artery (red),
medullary cavity (orange), yellow bone marrow (yellow),
periosteum (pink) and epiphyseal line (black)
 Laboratory Exercise 6: Bones of Human Skeleton

The skeleton can be organized into axial and appendicular divisions. The skull, hyoid,
vertebrae and rib cage comprise the axial division. The arms and legs plus the pectoral and
pelvic girdles belong in the appendicular division. Be able to place each bone into its proper
division. Where is the hyoid?

The skull can be organized into bones of the cranium that surround and protect the brain, and
those of the face.
Identify and locate on diagrams and specimens:
cranial bones: frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, sphenoid
facial bones: nasal, lacrimal, zygomatic, palatine, vomer, maxilla, mandible

Identify the following structures: ID the following sutures and the bones they articulate:
mastoid process coronal suture
foramen magnum sagittal suture
occipital condyles lambdoid suture
The separate bones of the vertebral column are named by location and number.
How many vertebrae per region?

Identify and locate on diagrams and specimens.

cervical _____ lumbar ______
atlas (C1) and axis (C2) sacrum ______
thoracic _____ coccyx _______
The rib cage includes the sternum and the ribs. Why do the ribs have these names?
sternum ribs
manubrium true (1 – 7)
body false ribs (8 – 12)
xiphoid process floating ribs (11 & 12)
The bones of the appendicular skeleton include the pectoral girdle and arms, pelvic girdle and legs.
Identify and locate on diagrams and specimens:

pectoral girdle pelvic girdle

scapula bones of the coxa: ilium, ischium, pubis
clavicle
legs
arms femur
humerus patella
radius tibia
ulna fibula
carpals tarsals
metacarpals talus
phalanges calcaneus
metatarsals
phalanges