Skeleton Vocabulary: Axial and Appendicular Terms from the Lecture

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms related to the axial and appendicular skeleton, including the rib cage, shoulder girdle, pelvis, and the bones of the arms and legs.

Axial skeleton

The central skeleton including the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

Appendicular skeleton

The skeleton consisting of the limbs and girdles that attach them to the axial skeleton.

Pectoral girdle

Shoulder girdle; attaches the upper limb to the axial skeleton and consists of the clavicle and scapula.

Clavicle

Collarbone; S-shaped bone connecting the sternum to the scapula.

Sternal end

Medial, articulating end of the clavicle that attaches to the sternum.

Acromial end

Lateral end of the clavicle that articulates with the acromion.

Acromion process

Bony projection at the top of the shoulder on the scapula; forms part of the AC joint.

Acromioclavicular joint (AC joint)

Joint between the acromion of the scapula and the clavicle.

Sternoclavicular joint (SC joint)

Joint between the sternum and the clavicle.

Glenohumeral joint (GH joint)

Ball-and-socket shoulder joint between the humeral head and the glenoid cavity.

Scapula

Shoulder blade; flat, triangular bone on the back of the rib cage.

Spine of the scapula

Prominent ridge on the posterior surface of the scapula.

Inferior angle

Bottom point of the scapula.

Superior angle

Top point of the scapula.

Medial border (vertebral border)

Edge of the scapula closest to the vertebral column.

Lateral border (axillary border)

Edge of the scapula closest to the armpit.

Scapular notch

Notch on the superior border of the scapula for vessels and nerves.

Coracoid process

Hook-like projection on the scapula for muscle attachment and ligaments.

Subscapular fossa

Front smooth surface of the scapula where the subscapularis muscle sits.

Infraspinous fossa

Posterior surface below the spine of the scapula.

Supraspinous fossa

Posterior surface above the spine of the scapula.

Glenoid cavity/fossa

Shallow socket on the scapula that articulates with the humeral head.

Glenohumeral joint stability

Shoulder joint is highly mobile but relatively shallow, contributing to dislocations.

Humerus

Upper arm bone; connects shoulder to elbow.

Humeral head

Rounded proximal end of the humerus that fits into the glenoid cavity.

Anatomical neck (humerus)

Narrow region just below the humeral head.

Surgical neck (humerus)

Narrow portion below the anatomical neck where fractures commonly occur.

Greater tubercle

Large lateral bump on the proximal humerus for rotator cuff muscle attachment.

Lesser tubercle

Smaller anterior bump on the proximal humerus for muscle attachment.

Intertubercular groove (bicipital groove)

Groove between the greater and lesser tubercles that houses the biceps tendon.

Medial epicondyle

Medial bony prominence on the distal humerus; attachment for forearm flexors.

Lateral epicondyle

Lateral bony prominence on the distal humerus; attachment for forearm extensors.

Trochlea

Spool-shaped distal humeral surface that articulates with the ulna.

Capitulum

Rounded lateral distal humeral surface that articulates with the radius.

Coronoid fossa

Anterior depression on the distal humerus that accommodates the coronoid process of the ulna.

Olecranon fossa

Posterior depression on the distal humerus that accommodates the olecranon process of the ulna.

Radius

Forearm bone on the thumb side; allows forearm rotation (pronation/supination).

Ulna

Forearm bone on the pinky side; forms the elbow joint with the humerus.

Styloid process (radius)

Distal projection of the radius for wrist ligament attachment.

Styloid process (ulna)

Distal projection of the ulna for wrist ligament attachment.

Carpal bones

Eight small wrist bones arranged in proximal and distal rows.

Scaphoid

Boat-shaped carpal bone on the lateral side of the proximal row.

Lunate

Moon-shaped carpal bone in the proximal row.

Triquetrum

Three-sided carpal bone in the proximal row.

Pisiform

Small pea-shaped carpal bone on the palm side.

Trapezium

Carpal bone at the base of the thumb; articulates with the first metacarpal.

Trapezoid

Carpal bone just medial to the trapezium.

Capitate

Largest carpal bone in the center of the distal row.

Hamate

Carpal bone with a hook-like hook called the hamulus.

Carpal tunnel

Narrow passage on the anterior wrist through which the median nerve passes.

Median nerve

Nerve that runs through the carpal tunnel; supplies sensation to parts of the hand.

Metacarpals

Five bones in the hand between the wrist and fingers.

Proximal phalanx (hand)

Phalanx closest to the hand that forms the base of the fingers.

Middle phalanx

Phalanx between proximal and distal in digits 2–5 (not in the thumb).

Distal phalanx

Phalanx at the tip of each finger.

Os coxae

Hip bone formed by the fusion of ilium, ischium, and pubis.

Ilium

Superior, large bone of the hip; contains iliac crest.

Ischium

Lower, posterior part of the hip; includes the ischial tuberosity.

Pubis

Anterior portion of the hip bone; meets the opposite side at the pubic symphysis.

Acetabulum

Deep socket where the femoral head sits; the hip joint socket.

Pubic symphysis

Cartilaginous joint at the midline where the two pubic bones meet.

Iliac crest

Superior border of the ilium; attachment for abdominal and thigh muscles.

Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)

Prominent anterior projection at the top of the ilium; landmark for muscles and ligaments.

Anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS)

Inferior projection on the ilium; attachment for muscles.

Posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS)

Posterior projection at the posterior part of the ilium.

Posterior inferior iliac spine (PIIS)

Lower posterior projection on the ilium.

Greater sciatic notch

Large notch in the hip bone above the ischium; passage for the sciatic nerve.

Lesser sciatic notch

Smaller notch below the greater sciatic notch.

Ischial spine

Projection between the greater and lesser sciatic notches; attachment for ligaments.

Obturator foramen

Large opening formed by the pubis and ischium for nerves and vessels to pass.

Sacroiliac joint (SI joint)

Joint between the sacrum and the ilium; transfers weight to the pelvis.

Ischial tuberosity

Rough, bony part of the ischium; supports body when seated; attachment for hamstrings.

Femur

Thigh bone; the strongest and longest bone in the body.

Femoral head

Rounded proximal end of the femur that fits into the acetabulum.

Femoral neck

Narrow region just below the femoral head.

Greater trochanter

Large lateral projection for hip muscle attachment.

Lesser trochanter

Smaller medial projection for hip muscle attachment.

Diaphysis

Shaft (midsection) of a long bone.

Medial condyle (femur/tibia)

Medial distal articulation surface for knee joint.

Lateral condyle (femur/tibia)

Lateral distal articulation surface for knee joint.

Intercondylar eminence

Ridge on the tibial plateau between the condyles; houses cruciate ligaments.

Tibia

Shinbone; main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg; medial.

Fibula

Thin lateral bone of the lower leg; non-weight-bearing; muscle attachments.

Medial malleolus

Medial ankle bump formed by the tibia.

Lateral malleolus

Lateral ankle bump formed by the fibula.

Tibial tuberosity

Prominent point on the tibia where the patellar tendon attaches.

Talus

Ankle bone that sits above the calcaneus and forms the ankle joint.

Calcaneus

Heel bone; supports weight and forms the heel.

Navicular

Boat-shaped tarsal bone near the medial foot.

Medial cuneiform

First (medial) of the three cuneiform bones in the foot.

Intermediate (second) cuneiform

Middle of the three cuneiform bones in the foot.

Lateral (third) cuneiform

Third (lateral) cuneiform bone in the foot.

Cuboid

Cube-shaped tarsal bone on the lateral side of the foot.

Metatarsals

Five long bones in the foot between the tarsals and the phalanges.

Proximal phalanx (foot)

First row of foot phalanges adjacent to the metatarsals.

Middle phalanx (foot)

Middle row of foot phalanges (not in the big toe).

Distal phalanx (foot)

Phalanx at the tip of each toe.

Hallux

Big toe; also called the first digit; lacks a middle phalanx.