Endoskeleton
내골격
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/speciesfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-speciesfyi="glossary" data-slug="endoskeleton"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://speciesfyi.com/iframe/glossary/endoskeleton/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://speciesfyi.com/glossary/endoskeleton/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://speciesfyi.com/glossary/endoskeleton/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/speciesfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<speciesfyi-glossary slug="endoskeleton"></speciesfyi-glossary>Definition
An internal skeleton made of bone or cartilage that supports the body from within, characteristic of vertebrates.
Detailed Explanation
Unlike exoskeletons, endoskeletons allow for continuous growth and support for large body sizes — the blue whale's internal skeleton underpins the largest animal that has ever lived. Bone's composite structure (collagen for flexibility, hydroxyapatite crystals for rigidity) makes it both tough and light. Cartilaginous fishes like sharks have no true bone — their entire skeleton is cartilage, which is lighter and more flexible.