BIOL 162 CH 1

Superior

describes vertical position; above something else

Inferior

describes vertical position; below something else

Anterior

describes position front-to-back; toward the front

Posterior

describes position front-to-back; toward the back

Medial

refers relative to the midline; toward the midline

Lateral

refers realtive to the midline; away from the midline

Proximal

refers to the position of a structure relative to where something attaches to the body; closer to the attachment point

Distal

refers to the position of a structure relative to where something attaches to the body; further away from the attachment point

Cranial

decribes relative to the head and tail; toward the head

Caudal

describes relative to the head and tail; toward the tail or rear

Dorsal

refers to upper and lower structures on all fours; upper structure

Ventral

refers to upper and lower structures on all fours; lower structure

Head

The 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 a crest

Process

A bony projection (ex. sharp or blunt)

Condyle

A smooth rounded projection that articulates with another bone.

Epicondyle

Condyles have small round projections just above them called _______

Trochanter

A very large, rough-looking process found only on the femur

Spine

A narrow or sharp process. ___ 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 muscle attaches

Fossa

A shallow depression

Sulcus

A groove that allows a nerve or blood vessel to pass.

Foramen/Foramina

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

Canal

A canal or tunnel through a bone

Meatus

Also 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