skeleton
(SKEH-leh-tun)
The framework
that supports the soft tissues of vertebrate animals and
protects many of their internal organs. The skeletons of
vertebrates are made of bone and/or
cartilage.
The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.
Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.