Bone Shapes and Surface Features

The primary components of the skeletal system are:

bones, cartilages, and ligaments

Functions of the skeletal system include:

support, storage of minerals and lipids, blood cell production, protection, and leverage

Long bones

bones that are longer than they are wide; found in the arms, legs, hands, and feet

Short bones

bones that are equal in width and length, found in the wrists and ankles

Irregular bones

odd shaped bones needed to connect other bones; found in vertebrae and pelvis

Flat bones

thinner bones that can be flat and curved; found in the roof of skull and ribs

Sesamoid bones

Found inside tendons; patella and hyoid

Sutural bones

tiny bones within sutures

Bone markings

projections, depressions, and openings found at articulations, sites of ligaments attachment, and blood vessel and nerve routes

Process

projections that come off the surface of the bone

Ramus

where the bone forms an angle

PLA

Process for Ligament Attachment

Trochanter

PLA; large, rough projection

Tuberosity

PLA; smaller rough projection

Tubercle

PLA; small rounded projection

Crest

PLA; prominent ridge

Line

PLA; low ridge

Spine

PLA; pointed process

PFA

Process for Articulation

Head

PFA; expanded knob separated from the shaft by a narrower neck

Neck

PFA; narrow connection between the epiphysis and diaphysis

Condyle

PFA; smooth, concave articular process

Trochlea

PFA; smooth, grooved articular process shaped like a pulley

Facet

PFA; small, flat articular surface

Fossa

shallow depression

Sulcus

narrow groove

Foramen

round or oval opening, usually for blood vessels

Canal(meatus)

tube-like passage or channel

Fissure

elongated openings in the skull

Sinus(antrum)

chambers within bone filled with air