Bone Markings Terminology

For Anatomy and Physiology

Axial Skeleton

skull, spine, ribs, sternum, and sacrum

Appendicular Skeleton

Upper and Lower Limbs

Depressions

Low areas or indentations on a bone

Fossa

shallow depression

Fovea

pit or depression

Sulcus

groove or elongated depression

Notch

a V-like depression in the margin or edge of a flat area

Foramen (foramina)

round hole in a bone for passage of nerves/blood vessels

Meatus

canal in a bone

Sinus

cavity within a bone

Canal

narrow opening going through a structure

Fissure

narrow, slit-like opening for passage of nerves/blood vessels

Articulation

where two bones meet

Suture

immovable joint

Condyle

large, knoblike convex process

Facet

flattened, smooth articular surface

Head

rounded articular surface at the end of a bone

Projection

any prominence or raised area on a bone, usually for muscle attachment.

Tuberosity

large, roughened process or projection on a bone

Tubercle

small, roughened process or projection on a bone

Trochanter

very large bump, only on the femur

Crest

moderately raised ridge

Spine

similar to a crest but raised more; a sharp, pointed process

Process

a raised area or projection

Epicondyle

process above a condyle

Line

low ridge on a bone

Ramus

curved portion of a bone, like a ram’s horn

Trochlea

sully, or structure functioning like a pulley

Angle

a corner

Anterior

toward the front

Apex

tip or pointed end

Arch

narrow curved structure

Articular

pertaining to a joint

Body

the main portion of a bone

Concha

thin, scroll-like

Eminence

area projecting out from another area

Inferior

beneath or below

Inter

between

Intra

within

Lateral

toward the side

Medial

toward the middle

Neck

constricted portion of a structure

Notch

indented area

Ovale

oval shaped structure

Posterior

toward the back

Superior

above or on top of

Transverse

across