Skeleton and Joints

Cartilaginous joints have cartilage filling the space between bones. Choices B and D both refer to freely moveable joints.

Facet is an articular surface that projects from a bone surface. A fossa is a shallow basin-like depression in a bone, often serving as articular surface.

Each choice includes protection, movement and blood cell formation (haemopoiesis), so these terms cannot be used to choose the answer. Bones do not produce hormones, so choice C is eliminated. Bones do provide support to the body; hence only choice D is a complete list of functions.

Osteoblasts secrete bone around themselves, eventually isolating themselves within lacunae, whereupon they mature into osteocytes.

Ligaments join bone to bone. Tendons (and aponeuroses) join muscle to bone.

Bone is deposited on the side of the plate that is distal to the epiphysis, while bone is removed from the proximal side. In this way the diaphysis increases in length (and is remodelled).

The sella turcica (latin for Turkish saddle) is a small depression of the sphenoid bone into which fits the pituitary gland.

Nerves and blood vessels penetrate through bone via these spaces.

The “deltoid” bone does not exist. Choice D, the hyoid does not articulate with any bone, but being in the neck is considered part of the axial skeleton.

Choice A describes the appendicular skeleton. Choices A and D are complementary.