The Appendicular Skeleton

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on the Appendicular Skeleton.

Appendicular Skeleton

Bones primarily involved in body movements and include those of the upper and lower limbs, attached to the axial skeleton by girdles.

Pectoral (Shoulder) Girdle

Consists of a clavicle and a scapula.

Clavicle (Collarbone)

S-shaped bone that articulates with the manubrium of the sternum medially and the acromion of the scapula laterally.

Scapula

Flat bone located in the superior part of the posterior thorax between the second and seventh ribs.

Glenoid Cavity

Attachment point on the scapula for the humerus.

Humerus (Arm Bone)

Articulates with the scapula at the glenoid cavity and with the radius and ulna at the trochlea and capitulum.

Ulna and Radius

Two bones of the forearm; the ulna has an olecranon and coronoid process forming the trochlear notch, while the radius is on the lateral (thumb) side and rotates with the humerus and ulna.

Carpal Bones

Eight small bones connected by ligaments in two rows; the proximal row (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform) articulates with the radius and ulna, while the distal row (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate) articulates with the metacarpals.

Metacarpals

Make up the palm and back of the hand, numbered I through V starting with the thumb, and articulate with the distal carpals and proximal phalanges.

Phalanges (Hand)

14 total bones of the digits, with the thumb having 2 (proximal and distal) and other fingers having 3 each (proximal, middle, and distal).

Pelvic (Hip) Girdle

Two hip bones (coxal bones) that articulate with the sacrum posteriorly and each other anteriorly via the pubic symphysis; each hip bone consists of the ilium, ischium, and pubis.

Acetabulum

Composed of parts of all three bones (ilium, ischium, and pubis) that make up the hip bone.

False (Greater) Pelvis

Superior portion of the pelvis.

True (Lesser) Pelvis

Inferior portion of the pelvis.

Femur

Longest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the body; its head inserts into the acetabulum of the hip bone, and its distal end articulates with the tibia and patella.

Patella

A triangular bone that develops in the quadriceps tendon and articulates with the femur posteriorly.

Lower Leg (Tibia and Fibula)

Consists of the tibia and fibula; the tibia articulates with the femur proximally and the talus bone of the ankle distally, with the tibial tuberosity serving as the attachment point for the patellar ligament.

Tarsus

Contains 7 tarsal bones: talus, calcaneus, navicular, 3 cuneiforms, and cuboid.

Metatarsus

Made up of 5 metatarsal bones numbered I through V starting with the big toe; they articulate with the cuneiform bones and cuboid proximally and the proximal phalanges distally.

Phalanges (Foot)

Arranged like those of the hand, with the big toe having a proximal and distal phalanx and other toes having a proximal, middle, and distal phalanx.

Arches of the Foot

Supported by ligaments and tendons to allow the foot to support body weight, provide leverage while walking, and distribute weight over the foot; includes the longitudinal arch (medial and lateral portions) and the transverse arch.