Appendicular Skeleton Flashcards

Flashcards about the appendicular skeleton, covering the pectoral girdle, upper limb, pelvic girdle, and lower limb.

Appendicular Skeleton

Primarily involved in body movements; includes bones of upper and lower limbs and their 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 posterior thorax; the glenoid cavity is its attachment point for the humerus.

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

Located in the forearm; the olecranon and coronoid process form the trochlear notch, which wraps around the trochlea of the humerus.

Radius

Located on the lateral (thumb) side of the forearm; its head articulates with the capitulum of the humerus, allowing forearm rotation.

Carpal Bones

8 small bones connected by ligaments, arranged in two rows; the proximal row articulates with the radius and ulna, and the distal row articulates with the metacarpals.

Metacarpals

Five bones that make up the palm and back of the hand, numbered I through V starting with the thumb.

Phalanges (Hand)

14 bones of the digits; the thumb has 2 (proximal and distal), while the other four fingers have 3 each (proximal, middle, and distal).

Pelvic Girdle

Two hip bones (coxal bones) that articulate with the sacrum posteriorly and each other anteriorly via the pubic symphysis.

Three individual bones that make up each hip bone

Ilium, ischium, and pubis

Acetabulum

Composed of parts of all three bones that make up the hip bone; articulates with the head of the femur.

Pelvic Brim

Separates the pelvis into superior (false/greater) and inferior (true/lesser) portions; where the abdomen meets the pelvic cavity.

False (Greater) Pelvis

Area of the bony pelvis superior to the pelvic brim.

True (Lesser) Pelvis

Area of the bony pelvis inferior to the pelvic brim.

Femur

Longest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the body; its head inserts into the acetabulum of the hip bone.

Patella

Triangular bone that develops in the quadriceps tendon; its posterior surface articulates with the femur.

Lower Leg

Consists of the tibia and fibula

Tibia

Articulates with the femur proximally and the talus bone of the ankle distally.

Tarsus

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

Metatarsus

Made up of 5 metatarsal bones that form the sole and dorsal surface of the foot; numbered I through V starting with the big toe.

Phalanges (Foot)

Arranged like those of the hand; the big toe has a proximal and distal phalanx, while other toes have a proximal, middle, and distal phalanx.

Arches of the Foot

Allow the foot to support body weight, provide leverage while walking, and distribute weight over the foot; consist of longitudinal (medial and lateral) and transverse arches.

Female Pelvis

Lighter and thinner, shallower, wider and more oval pelvic inlet, smaller acetabulum facing anteriorly, oval obturator foramen, pubic arch greater than 90 degrees.

Male Pelvis

Heavier and thicker, deeper, narrower and heart-shaped pelvic inlet, larger acetabulum facing laterally, round obturator foramen, public arch less than 90 degrees.