Yellow marrow refers to the fatty tissue found in the cavities of bones. The spelling of "yellow marrow" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription as /ˈjɛl.oʊ ˈmær.oʊ/. The first syllable "yel" is pronounced with the sound /jɛl/, which is an unvoiced palatal approximant. The second syllable "low" is pronounced with the diphthong /oʊ/, which is a combination of the sounds /o/ and /ʊ/. The final syllable "marrow" is pronounced with the sound /ˈmær.oʊ/, which is a combination of the sounds /m/, /ær/, and /oʊ/.
Yellow marrow refers to the tissue found in the medullary cavity of long bones, which is responsible for producing fat cells, cartilage, and connective tissue. It is one of the two types of bone marrow, the other being red marrow. Yellow marrow is primarily composed of adipocytes, or fat cells, which give it a yellow appearance. It can be found in the central shafts of long bones such as the femur, tibia, and humerus.
When an individual is born, their bone marrow is predominantly red, consisting of hematopoietic stem cells that produce red and white blood cells as well as platelets. However, over time and as the person grows older, the red marrow is gradually replaced by yellow marrow. This transition occurs due to a decrease in the production of blood cells and an increase in fat cells.
Although yellow marrow is less involved in blood cell production compared to red marrow, its role in the body should not be underestimated. It serves as a critical source of energy storage and helps maintain the structural integrity of bones by providing a cushioning effect. In certain cases, yellow marrow can revert to red marrow to support increased blood cell production during times of severe blood loss or disease.
Overall, yellow marrow plays an essential role in the body's skeletal system by supporting bone health, energy storage, and assisting in specific hematopoietic functions.
The m contained in the medullary cavities of the long bones, it contains much fat and is thought not to have much if anything to do with blood-formation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "yellow marrow" is formed by combining two elements: "yellow" and "marrow".
- Yellow: The term "yellow" comes from the Old English word "geolu", which means bright or light-colored. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "gelwaz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "ghel-", meaning to shine or gleam. "Yellow" refers to the color of the substance found in bone marrow.
- Marrow: The word "marrow" has its origins in the Old English "mearg" or "merg", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "mazgaz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*mozg-", meaning marrow or brain. In this context, "marrow" refers to the soft fatty tissue found inside certain bones, where blood cells are produced.