Skeletal System Lab Practical: Bones and Markings

Vocabulary flashcards covering human osteology, identifying individual bones, anatomical markings, depressions, processes, foramina, and their articulating joints from the practical exam review.

Mandibular fossa

A depression on the temporal bone that forms a joint with the mandible at the mandibular condyle.

Occipital condyle

A smooth surface marking of the occipital bone that connects to the first cervical vertebra (C1 or atlas).

Patella

A sesamoid bone situated anterior to the knee joint; identified in the practical specimen as belonging to the left side.

Trochlear notch

A large depression (also termed the semilunar notch) on the proximal ulna that articulates with the trochlea of the humerus.

Radial notch of the ulna

A depression (also called the radial fossa) on the lateral side of the proximal ulna that forms a joint with the head of the radius.

Pubic symphysis surface

The medial articular surface of the pubis on the os coxa that forms a joint with the opposite pubis bone.

Obturator foramen

The large opening in the os coxa bounded by the ischium and pubis.

Iliac crest

The prominent superior ridge and surface of the ilium on the os coxa.

Sacroiliac joint surface

The articular surface on the ilium of the os coxa that forms a joint with the sacrum.

Ischial spine

A pointed projection marking situated on the posterior aspect of the ischium of the os coxa.

Anterior superior iliac spine

A bony projection located at the anterior termination of the iliac crest on the os coxa.

Head of the radius

The rounded, disc-shaped proximal surface of the radius that articulates with the capitulum of the humerus and the radial notch of the ulna.

Radial tuberosity

A rough bony area on the medial surface of the radius distal to its neck.

Lunate

A crescent-shaped carpal bone located in the proximal row of the wrist.

Capitate

The largest carpal bone, situated centrally in the distal row of the wrist.

Malleus

An individual middle ear ossicle (hammer-shaped) tested in Unit 4.

Incus

An individual middle ear ossicle (anvil-shaped) designated for Unit 4.

Costal groove

A linear depression running along the inferior internal surface of a rib (costa).

Manubrium

The broad, superior area of the sternum that articulates with the clavicles and the first pair of ribs.

Xiphoid process

The small, cartilaginous or bony inferior projection area of the sternum.

Clavicular notch

A depression on either side of the superior border of the sternal manubrium that articulates with the clavicle.

Costal notches

Depressions along the lateral borders of the sternum providing articulation for the costal cartilages of the ribs.

Thoracic vertebra

A regional vertebral bone featuring a distinct body, vertebral foramen, downward-slanting spinous process, and facets for rib articulation.

Superior articular facet of a vertebra

A smooth cranial articular surface on the vertebral arch that joins with the inferior articular facet of the vertebra above.

Transverse foramen

The characteristic hole located in the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae.

Talus

A tarsal bone that articulates superiorly with the inferior surface of the tibia and inferiorly with the calcaneus.

Calcaneus

The largest tarsal bone of the foot, forming the prominence of the heel.

Conoid tubercle

A projection marking on the posterior-inferior aspect near the acromial end of the clavicle.

Sternal end of the clavicle

The medial end of the clavicle that forms a joint with the sternum at the clavicular notch.

Glenoid cavity

A lateral depression (or glenoid fossa) on the scapula that forms a joint with the head of the humerus.

Coracoid process

An anterior, hook-like projection marking of the scapula located superior to the glenoid cavity.

Acromion process

The lateral projection of the scapular spine that articulates with the acromial end of the clavicle.

Subscapular fossa

The large, concave depression covering the anterior or costal surface of the scapula.

Infraspinous fossa

The broad depression marking on the posterior surface of the scapula located inferior to the scapular spine.

Anterior fontanel

The diamond-shaped membranous space (or frontal fontanel) located at the junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures in the fetal skull.

Acetabulum

A deep cup-shaped depression marking on the lateral os coxa that articulates with the head of the femur.

Ischial tuberosity

A rough, swollen bony area marking on the posteroinferior aspect of the ischium of the os coxa.

Pisiform

A small, pea-shaped sesamoid carpal bone situated anteriorly on the triquetrum in the proximal row of the wrist.

Hamate

A wedge-shaped carpal bone in the distal row distinguished by its hooked projection.

Trapezium

The lateral-most carpal bone of the distal carpal row that articulates with the first metacarpal of the thumb.

Ulnar notch

A concave depression marking on the medial side of the distal radius that articulates with the head of the ulna.

Mental foramen

An opening located on the anterolateral body of the mandible transmitting blood vessels and nerves to the chin.

Mandibular angle

The prominent bony corner marking where the inferior border of the mandibular body meets the posterior border of the ramus.

Foramen magnum

The large oval hole in the base of the occipital bone that connects the cranial cavity to the vertebral canal.

Crista galli

A thick, triangular vertical projection marking of the ethmoid bone rising into the anterior cranial fossa.

Petrous portion of the temporal bone

A dense, raised triangular bony ridge on the floor of the cranial cavity housing inner ear structures.

Sella turcica

A saddle-shaped depression marking on the superior surface of the sphenoid bone that accommodates the pituitary gland.

Clivus

A sloping bony surface marking anterior to the foramen magnum formed by parts of the sphenoid and occipital bones.

Jugular foramen

A large opening situated between the petrous temporal bone and the occipital bone.

Greater trochanter

A large, blunt, prominent projection marking situated at the proximal lateral junction of the femoral neck and shaft.

Lateral malleolus

The expanded distal extremity marking of the fibula forming the lateral prominence of the ankle.

Tibial tuberosity

A raised, rough area marking on the proximal anterior aspect of the tibia for attachment of the patellar ligament.

Intercondylar eminence

An upward bony elevation marking located between the articular condyles on the proximal surface of the tibia.

Medial malleolus

A prominent downward projection on the medial side of the distal tibia forming the inner ankle.

Capitulum

The rounded lateral condyle marking of the humerus that articulates with the head of the radius.

Trochlea of the humerus

A pulley-shaped medial surface on the distal humerus that articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Deltoid tuberosity

A rough, elevated feature located on the lateral mid-shaft of the humerus.

Olecranon process

A thick, curved proximal projection marking of the ulna that forms the point of the elbow.

Cuboid

A tarsal bone located on the lateral side of the foot, articulating posteriorly with the calcaneus.

Fibular notch

A concavity on the lateral surface of the distal tibia that articulates with the distal fibula.

Optic canal

A round hole (optic foramen) in the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone transmitting the optic nerve into the orbit.

Perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone

A thin, vertical plate of bone descending from the ethmoid that forms the superior portion of the bony nasal septum.

Carotid canal

A circular canal opening in the temporal bone through which the internal carotid artery ascends into the cranial cavity.

Superior nuchal line

A curved transverse ridge marking on the external surface of the occipital bone extending laterally from the external occipital protuberance.

Glabella

The smooth, flat area of the frontal bone located directly between the superciliary arches superior to the nasal bones.

Anterior sacral foramen

Paired openings on the anterior surface of the sacrum transmitting the ventral rami of sacral spinal nerves.

Angle of a rib

The distinct site on the shaft of a rib where the bone sharply changes its direction of curvature.