Bones of the Human Skeleton

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical bones, landmarks, mnemonics, and distinguishing skeletal structures presented in the lecture notes.

Deltoid Tuberosity

A roughened, V-shaped area on the lateral middle surface of the humerus shaft that serves as the attachment point for the deltoid muscle.

Capitulum

A rounded, knob-like structure on the lateral distal end of the humerus that articulates with the head of the radius.

Trochlea

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

Olecranon Fossa

A large posterior depression on the distal humerus that receives the olecranon of the ulna during full elbow extension.

Trochlear Notch

A large, C-shaped articular depression formed by the olecranon and coronoid process of the proximal ulna that articulates with the trochlea of the humerus.

FibuLA Mnemonic

The memory aid 'The fibuLA is LAteral,' used to recall that the fibula is positioned on the lateral side of the lower leg while the tibia is on the medial side.

Intercondylar Eminence

An upward bony projection situated on the superior articular surface of the tibia between the medial and lateral condyles.

Glenoid Cavity

A shallow depression on the lateral angle of the scapula that articulates with the head of the humerus to form the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint.

Linea Aspera

A prominent, vertical longitudinal ridge running along the posterior surface of the femoral shaft that serves as an attachment site for multiple thigh muscles.

Conoid Tubercle

A small bony prominence located on the inferior surface of the lateral (acromial) end of the clavicle, serving as an attachment site for the conoid ligament.

Costal Groove

A groove along the interior, inferior border of the rib body that accommodates and protects intercostal nerves and blood vessels.

Dens (Odontoid Process)

A prominent tooth-like vertical projection rising from the superior body of the axis ($C2$) that serves as a pivot point for cervical head rotation.

Sternum

The flat breastbone situated in the anterior midline of the thoracic cage, consisting from superior to inferior of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.

Hyoid Bone

A U-shaped bone located in the anterior neck between the mandible and larynx, composed of a body, greater horns, and lesser horns, that does not articulate directly with any other bone.

Carpal Bones Mnemonic

'Stop Letting Those People Touch The Cadaver’s Hand,' representing the Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, and Pisiform in the proximal row (lateral to medial), and the Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, and Hamate in the distal row (lateral to medial).

Tarsal Bones Mnemonic

'Tall Centers Never Take Shots From Corners,' representing the Talus, Calcaneus, Navicular, Third cuneiform, Second cuneiform, First cuneiform, and Cuboid.

Sphenoid Bone

A butterfly- or bat-shaped cranial bone situated in the middle cranial base that features the sella turcica, greater wings, lesser wings, pterygoid processes, and sphenoidal sinuses.

Sella Turcica

A saddle-shaped bony structure on the superior surface of the sphenoid body containing the hypophyseal fossa, which houses the pituitary gland.

Crista Galli

A superior triangular vertical crest on the ethmoid bone that projects into the anterior cranial fossa, serving as an attachment point for the falx cerebri.

Perpendicular Plate of Ethmoid

A thin, vertical downward projection of the ethmoid bone that forms the superior portion of the bony nasal septum.

Acetabulum

The deep, cup-shaped lateral socket of the hip bone formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis that articulates with the head of the femur.

Obturator Foramen

The large opening in the os coxae bounded by the ischium and pubis that is nearly closed by the obturator membrane in life.

Patella

A triangular sesamoid bone located anterior to the knee joint, characterized by a broad superior base, a pointed inferior apex, and posterior facets for the femoral condyles.

Anterior Fontanel

The largest, diamond-shaped membranous space in the fetal cranium located at the junction of the frontal and parietal bones along the coronal and sagittal sutures.

Pubic Arch Comparison

An anatomical pelvic differentiator where the angle under the pubic symphysis is greater than $90^\circ$ in females and less than $90^\circ$ in males.

Epiphyseal (Growth) Plates

Hyaline cartilage zones in the metaphyses of growing long bones that appear as radiolucent open bands on X-rays in youth and ossify into closed lines after maturity.

Sacral Hiatus

The inferior opening of the sacral canal on the posterior aspect of the sacrum, formed due to the failure of the laminae of the fifth sacral vertebra ($S5$) to fuse.