Context Clues for "Marrow": Identifying Meaning from Surrounding Text

Context clues are hints in surrounding text that reveal a word's meaning. For marrow, three key clues appear:

Clue 1: Anatomical Location

"A thick, yellowish fluid that fills the cavities of bones."

• Inference: Marrow is inside bones (medullary cavity).
• Key phrase: "cavities of bones" → bone marrow.

Clue 2: Physiological Function

"Marrow produces red blood cells and white blood cells."

• Inference: Hematopoietic function – site of hematopoiesis.
• Key phrase: "produces red blood cells and white blood cells" → confirms bone marrow identity.

Clue 3: Nutritional Composition

"Marrow is a rich source of iron and vitamins."

• Inference: Nutrient-dense; historically consumed as food.
• Key phrase: "rich source of iron and vitamins" → biological value.

Synthesis

Combining clues: Marrow = soft, vascular tissue in bone cavities that produces blood cells and stores nutrients. This matches the medical definition of bone marrow (red = hematopoietic; yellow = adipose).

Types of Context Clues Used

• Definition/Description: "fluid that fills cavities"
• Function/Action: "produces blood cells"
• Attribute/Property: "rich source of iron"

Context clue analysis is a core reading comprehension skill for medical and scientific texts.