Skeletal System (Chapter 3) Lecture #2 - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key bone anatomy and skull landmark terms from the lecture notes.

Functions of Bone

The roles bones perform: protection of organs, leverage for movement, structural support, mineral and energy storage, and hematopoiesis (production of blood cells).

Protection

A function of bone that shields vital organs from injury (e.g., skull protecting the brain).

Biomechanical Movement

Bones act as levers, enabling movement when acted on by muscles.

Support

Bones provide the body's framework and support soft tissues and organs.

Storage

Bones store minerals (calcium, phosphorus) and lipids (in marrow).

Production of Blood Cells

Hematopoiesis occurs in red bone marrow, producing blood cells.

Bony Prominences

Raised projections on bones that serve as attachment points for muscles or ligaments and can form joints.

Condyle

A rounded, knob-like end that articulates with another bone.

Epicondyle

A raised area above a condyle for muscle or ligament attachment.

Head

A rounded end of a bone that articulates with another bone in a joint.

Arch

A curved bony ridge on a bone.

Cornu

Horn-shaped projection on a bone.

Tuberosity

A large, roughened area for muscle or ligament attachment.

Tubercle

A small, rounded bump on a bone for attachment.

Crest

A narrow, prominent ridge on a bone.

Line

A low ridge on a bone.

Spine

A pointed or slender projection on a bone.

Notch (incisura)

Indentation at the edge of a bone.

Sulcus

A shallow groove or depression on a bone.

Fossa

A deeper depression on a bone’s surface.

Foramen

A short, window-like opening through a bone.

Canal

A longer, narrow tube-like opening in a bone.

Fissure

A narrow slit-like opening in a bone.

Ostium

A small opening into a hollow organ or canal.

Aperture

A narrow opening in a bone or structure.

Suture

A fibrous joint; immovable junctions between skull bones.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

The joint between the mandible and temporal bone that enables chewing and jaw movement.

Frontal Bone

A single cranial bone that contains the frontal sinuses.

Frontal Sinus

Air-filled cavity within the frontal bone.

Supraorbital Notch

Opening for the supraorbital vessels and nerve, located above the eye orbit.

Supraorbital Ridge

Raised bony margin above the orbits (eyebrows).

Glabella

Smooth area between the supraorbital ridges on the frontal bone.

Frontal Eminence

Raised area on the forehead of the frontal bone.

Zygomatic Process

Projection forming part of the cheekbone and orbital rim.

Lacrimal Fossa

Depression that contains the lacrimal gland and produces tears.

Parietal Bone

Paired cranial bones that articulate with surrounding bones of the skull.

Foramen Magnum

Large opening at the base of the skull for the brainstem to pass through.

Occipital Condyles

Rounded projections that articulate with the atlas (C1).

Jugular Notch

Forms half of the jugular foramen in the occipital bone.

Hypoglossal Canals

Openings in the occipital bone that transmit the hypoglossal nerves.

Pharyngeal Tubercle

Midline projection on the occipital bone for pharyngeal muscles.

Temporal Bone

Paired cranial bones forming the lateral walls of the skull; consists of squamous, tympanic, and petrous portions.

Squamous Portion (Temporal)

Part of the temporal bone that helps form the braincase; includes the zygomatic process.

Articular Fossa

Depression that articulates with the mandibular condyle at the TMJ.

Articular Eminence

Ridge anterior to the articular fossa that contributes to TMJ articulation.

Postglenoid Process

Posterior projection contributing to the TMJ.

Tympanic Portion

Temporal bone portion that forms most of the external auditory meatus.

External Acoustic Meatus

The ear canal leading to the middle ear.

Petrotympanic Fissure

Fissure between the tympanic and petrous portions of the temporal bone.

Petrous Portion

Dense portion of the temporal bone housing the inner ear; contains air cells adjacent to the mastoid.

Mastoid Process

Projection behind the ear; attachment for neck muscles and contains air cells.

Mastoid Notch

Notch in the mastoid region of the temporal bone.

Styloid Process

Slender, pointed projection from the temporal bone.

Stylomastoid Foramen

Opening for the facial nerve as it exits the skull.

Carotid Canal

Canal that transmits the internal carotid artery.

Internal Acoustic Meatus

Opening for the facial (CN VII) and vestibulocochlear (CN VIII) nerves.

Sphenoid Bone

Single bone that connects the cranial and facial skeleton; has a body and three paired processes.

Body (Sphenoid)

Central portion of the sphenoid that houses the sphenoidal sinuses.

Sella Turcica

Pituitary fossa; saddle-shaped depression in the sphenoid.

Lesser Wing

Anterior wing of the sphenoid bone.

Greater Wing

Larger wing of the sphenoid bone.

Pterygoid Process

Area for attachment of muscles of mastication; has lateral and medial plates and hamulus.

Hamulus

Hook-like projection on the medial pterygoid plate.

Foramen Ovale

Opening for the mandibular division (V3) of the trigeminal nerve.

Foramen Rotundum

Opening for the maxillary division (V2) of the trigeminal nerve.

Foramen Spinosum

Opening for the middle meningeal artery.

Superior Orbital Fissure

Passage for CN III, IV, V1, and CN VI.

Optic Canal

Opening for CN II (optic nerve) and the ophthalmic artery.

Ethmoid Bone

Single cranial bone containing ethmoid sinuses; connects cranial and facial bones.

Cribriform Plate

Part of the ethmoid with olfactory foramina for nerve fibers.

Crista Galli

Ridge extending from the cribriform plate that serves as an attachment for the falx cerebri.

Perpendicular Plate

Vertical plate forming part of the nasal septum.

Superior Nasal Conchae

Upper nasal concha; increases nasal mucosal surface area.

Middle Nasal Concha

Middle nasal concha; increases nasal mucosal surface area.

Nasal Meatus

The nasal passage space between conchae.

Orbital Plates

Ethmoid plates contributing to the medial wall of the orbit.

Uncinate Process

Curved projection in the ethmoid labyrinth involved in nasal drainage.

Frontal Sinuses

Frontal bone air-filled cavities; part of the frontal bone anatomy.

Lacrimal Gland

Gland that produces tears; located in the lacrimal fossa.

Ostium

Small opening into a hollow organ or canal.

Aperture

A narrow opening in a bone or structure.