Bone Markings and Bone Types

Anatomy and Physiology 1

long bone

cylindrical shape, longer than it is wide

short bone

cube-like, equal length width and thickness

flat bone

typically thin, often curved

irregular bone

complex shape 

sesamoid bone

small & round, embedded in tendons

function of long bones

levers, they move when muscles contract

function of short bones

provides stability & support as well as some limited motion 

function of flat bones

serve as point of attachment for muscles and often protect internal organs 

function of irregular bones

protect internal organs

function of sesamoid bones

protect tendons from compressive forces

articulations

where two bones meet to form a joint

head

prominent rounded end of the bone that fits into a fossa or facet of another bone at a joint

facet

shallow indented surface where two bones meet to form a joint

condyle

rounded end of a bone that fits into a fossa or facet or another bone at a joint

projections

raised markings

protuberance

an outgrowth from a bone due to repetitive pull from a muscle

process

any bony projection, generally the sit of muscle attachment

spine 

sharp process 

tubercle 

small rounded projection where muscles attach

tuberosity

a larger, more prominent tubercle

trochanter

large bony projection to which muscles attach; only examples on femur

line

ridge along a bone where a muscle attaches

crest

prominent ridge along a bone; generally a site of muscle attachment

fossa

deeper indented surface in a bone, usually allows a rounded surface of another bone to fit inside of it

fovea

shallow pit; often the site for the attachment of a ligament

sulcus

groove

canal

passageway through bone

fissure

slit within a bone or between bones

foramen

hole in a bone through which a structure such as a nerve or blood vessel passes

meatus 

canal/opening into canal though bone

sinus

air-filled space in bone

groove

long, typically shallow depression that usually allows a nerve or blood vessel to travel along the bone’s surface

epicondyle

small projection usually proximal to a condyle; generally the site of muscle attachment