bone [AS, ban] , 1. the dense, hard, and somewhat flexible connective tissue constituting the framework of the human skeleton. It is composed of compact osseous tissue surrounding spongy cancellous tissue permeated by many blood vessels and nerves and enclosed in membranous periosteum. 2. any single element of the skeleton, such as a rib, the sternum, or the femur. Also called os. See also connective tissue.
