Appendicular Skeleton Overview

Flashcards covering basic anatomy and terminology related to the appendicular skeleton.

Appendicular skeleton

The part of the skeleton consisting of the upper and lower limbs, and their attachments to the axial skeleton.

Pectoral girdle

Composed of the clavicle and scapula, it connects the upper limbs to the trunk.

Pelvic girdle

The structure that connects the lower limbs to the axial skeleton, formed by the coxal bones, sacrum, and coccyx.

Clavicle

The bone that connects the arm to the body, articulating with the sternum and scapula.

Scapula

The shoulder blade, a floating bone that helps to articulate the humerus and provides a base for the pectoral girdle.

Glenoid cavity

The shallow socket in the scapula that articulates with the head of the humerus to form the shoulder joint.

Humerus

The upper arm bone that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula.

Tibia

The larger, weight-bearing bone of the lower leg, located medially.

Fibula

The thinner bone of the lower leg, primarily serving as a stabilizer.

Carpals

The eight small bones that make up the wrist, allowing for a wide range of motion.

Metacarpals

The five bones that make up the middle part of the hand.

Phalanges

The bones of the fingers and toes; each finger has three phalanges, while the thumb and big toe have two.

Acetabulum

The cup-shaped socket of the hip bone that holds the head of the femur.

Femur

The thigh bone, the longest and strongest bone in the body, articulating with the coxal bones.

Patella

The kneecap, a sesamoid bone that protects the knee joint.

Interosseous membrane

A fibrous connective tissue that holds the radius and ulna or fibula and tibia together.

Lunate and Scaphoid

Two specific carpal bones that articulate with the radius.

Medial malleolus

The bony protuberance on the inner side of the ankle associated with the tibia.

Lateral malleolus

The bony protuberance on the outer side of the ankle associated with the fibula.