Bone is living tissue and it therefore requires a blood supply, which is brought to the bone itself by the vital soft tissue envelope around it. Articular cartilage routinely caps the epiphysis (end) of a long bone. The region adjacent to the epiphysis is termed the metaphysis, whereas the shaft of a long bone is the diaphysis.  

There are two main types of structural configurations that form bone tissue: compact bone (or cortical bone) and spongy bone (or cancellous bone). Compact bones function to maintain the structure of the body and release chemical elements, such as calcium. Compact bones are characterized by their specialized haversian system, or osteon structure. It is the fundamental unit of compact bone structure and consists of a haversian canal (a tunnel that is created by osteoclast activity to remove bone tissue) and lamellae (layers of compact bone tissue organized in concentric circles). Spongy bones do not contain these haversian systems.

Spongy bone is relatively flexible bone tissue that is found at the end of long bones (the epiphyses). One of their main functions is to develop red blood cells, as they house the red bone marrow responsible for erythropoiesis and erythrocyte maturation. Compact bones, on the other hand, contain yellow bone marrow that functions to store fat and adipose tissue.

Osteocytes are differentiated osteoblasts that have become imbedded in hydroxyapatite bone matrix. The osteocytes are found in small gaps in bone matrix called lacunae and exchange nutrients with the blood using small canals called canaliculi. Lamellae are the concentric regions of osteocytes that are arranged around the central Haversian canal. The canal houses blood vessels and nerves to nourish and stimulate the osteocytes via the canaliculi.

The skeletal system is responsible for a variety of functions in the body. Long bones contain both red and yellow bone marrow, which are the sites for fat storage and hematopoeisis respectively. Bones are also responsible for the storage of calcium and phosphate, which can be released in order to maintain normal levels in the blood.

White blood cells are derived from stem cells in the bone marrow. B-cells continue to develop in the bone marrow, but T-cells develop in the thymus.

Bone matrices store these slightly soluble calcium salts so that they can be released into the bloodstream in times of low blood calcium levels. As a result, these salts are an example of how the skeletal system provides mineral storage for the body.

Movement and bone cell production are also primary functions of the skeletal system, but are not linked to calcium salts. Energy storage is linked to the fats stored in the yellow marrow of the bone.

When it comes to the strength and resilience of bone, both collagen and calcium play important roles. Collagen provides bones with great tensile strength, and calcium (usually in the form of hydroxyapatite) provides bones with great compressive strength. In the event of a calcium deficiency, weight placed on bones would cause them to bend irregularly, resulting in the characteristic bending of bones found with rickets.

A deficiency in collagen would cause damage to the bone during extension or stretching forces. Bone marrow does not play an important structural role, and is more important for bone function.

Bone consists of calcium-phosphate crystals, known as hydroxyapatite, in a collagen matrix. The molecular formula for hydroxyapatite is . Collagen's structure depends on hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline for stability. Potassium is not required in bone.

While these specific formulas are not generally tested knowledge, it is important to know what molecules may influence bone composition and growth.

Vitamin D aids in calcium absorption in the small intestine. In the absence of vitamin D, inadequate absorption causes a deficiency of calcium in the body. Without calcium, the bones will not have adequate tensile strength, which can cause a bowing effect in bones that support weight, such as the femurs. Collagen in the bones is associated with resistance to compression, rather than tensile strength, and is not linked to vitamin D.

Ligaments connect a bone to another bone, while tendons attach a muscle to a bone. Since two bones are being connected by the fibrous band of tissue in question, we can confirm that it is a ligament.

Muscle does not actually form a functional connection; rather, muscle will transition to a tendon, which will connect to a bone. Joints are comprised of several different structures and tissues, and are the articulations between two bones.

Skiers and American football players are prone to medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries. The MCL is a major ligament of the knee that resides on the inner (medial) side of the knee. The MCL is connected to the tibia and femur, as well as the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament, making compound injuries common.

The anterior cruciate ligament resides at the front (anterior) side of the knee, while the posterior cruciate ligament resides to the back (posterior) of the knee. The medial meniscus is a fibrocollagen band that is fused with the MCL.