bones and anatomical positioning

Head

prominent expanded end of a bone (usually rounded)

Shaft

the long middle portion of a bone

crest

a narrow ridge

line

a narrow raised area, smaller than crest

process

a bony projection

condyle

a smooth rounded projection that articulates with another bone. condyles have small round projections just above them called epicondyles

trochanter

a very large rough looking process found only on the femur

spine

a narrow or sharp process. spines can be pointed structures or they can be more like tall, very narrow ridges

tubercle

a small rounded process

tuberosity

a rough area or surface on a bone where a muscle attaches

fossa

a shallow depression

sulcus

a groove that allows a nerve or blood vessel to pass. this term can apply to more than just bones. for example, the outer surface of the brain has peaks and valleys. the valleys are called sulci. there is also a groove between the two ventricles of the heart known as an interventricular sulcus

foramen

a round hole through a bone that allows nerves and blood vessels through

canal

a canal or tunnel through a bone

meatus

a canal or tunnel through a bone. the external acoustic meatus is the tunnel through your skull that transmits sounds to your ear

fissure

a narrow slit through a bone

superior

describes the vertical position of a structure. these structures are above something else. your forehead to your nose

inferior

describes the vertical position of a structure. these structures are below something else. your chin to your mouth.

anterior

describes the position of a structure front to back. these structures are toward the front. your chest to your spine

posterior

describes the position of a structure front to back. These structures are toward the back. your tongue to your teeth

medial

refers to the position of a structure relative to the midline of the body. a medial structure is toward the midline. your belly button to your hips

lateral

refers to the position of a structure relative to the midline of the body. a structure away from the midline. your nostrils to the tip of your nose

proximal

refers to the position of a structure relative to where something attaches to the body. these structures are closer to the attachment point. your elbow to your wrist

distal

refers to the position of the structure relative to where something attaches to the body. these structures are further away from the attachment point. your fingernails to your knuckles.

cranial

describes the position of a structure relative to the head and tail. these structures are towards the head. your neck to your belly button

caudal

describes the position of a structure relative to the head and tail. these structures are toward the tail or rear. Your shoulders to your head.

dorsal

the term refers to upper and lower structures. these structures are upper structures.if you are on all fours your backbone to your chest. the top of your foot to the bottom of your foot

dorsal and ventral

dorsal and ventral assume an organism is walking on all fours.

ventral

refers to lower structures of an organism walking on all fours. these structures are lower structures. is on all fours your chest to your backbone