Descriptive terms applied in vet osteology

Head

Condyle

Facet

3 terms under Articular projections

Tuberosity

tubercle

Trochanter

Spine

Line

Crest

Ridge

7 Terms under non-articular projections

Glenoid cavity

Acetabulum

Fovea

trochlea

4 terms under articular depressions

Fossa

groove

sulcus

impression

4 terms under non-articular depressions

Foramen

Canal

Fissure

3 terms under perforations

Bulla

Jugum

notches

Sulci

gyri

5 terms under special feature

Tuberosity

• large, rounded, non-articular projection

• large animals

Tubercle

• small, rounded, non-articular projection

• small animals

Trochanter

• few non-articular prominence

• femur only

Spine

• pointed/non-articular projection, tallest, most pointed in non-articular projection

RIdge

• small, sharp, elongated projection

• general term

  • line

  • crest

  • tallest →shortest: ridge→ crest → line

Glenoid cavity

• at ventral aspect of scapula, shallow depression

Acetabulum

• limited to pelvic girdle/os coxae, deeper

• socket for head of femur

• head of humerus fits → glenoid cavity

Fovae

• large, non-articular depression

• usually muscles attach to this

Groove

• long non-articular depressor

Sulcus

• plural: sulci

• “gyri/gyrus”

• gyri articulates sulci

• singular: sulcus; gyrus

• plural: sulci; gyri

Impression

• depression formed by mechanical compression

Foramen

• small, relatively shorter opening

Canal

• longer opening/vertebral canal

Fissure

• bigger, larger opening

Bulla

• hollow, bony structure

• dogs: lymphatic bullae = middle ear

• petrons: inner ear

Sugum

• ridge of projection caused by mechanical compression of tooth

notches

• constricted parts, connected a process to the main body of bone

• could be articular/non-articular

• ulnar notch: articulars to humerus