Lecture 8: The Appendicular Skeleton Overview

Appendicular Skeleton

126 bones facilitating movement and limb attachment.

Pectoral Girdle

Superior girdle connecting upper limbs to axial skeleton.

Pelvic Girdle

Inferior girdle connecting lower limbs to axial skeleton.

Humerus

Upper arm bone between shoulder and elbow.

Ulna

Forearm bone on the inner side of the arm.

Radius

Forearm bone on the outer side of the arm.

Carpals

Proximal bones of the hand, forming the wrist.

Metacarpals

Hand bones between carpals and phalanges.

Phalanges

Distal bones of the fingers.

Clavicle

S-shaped bone connecting sternum and scapula.

Scapula

Shoulder blade, does not articulate with spine.

Glenoid Cavity

Ball joint region for humerus articulation.

Acromion

Scapula surface articulating with the clavicle.

Coracoid Process

Scapula marking for muscle attachment and humerus articulation.

Subscapular Fossa

Scapula area for muscle attachment in pectoral region.

Condyles

Depressions at bone ends facilitating articulation.

Epicondyles

Projections for ligament attachment at articulation sites.

Head

Bone projection facilitating articulation with depressions.

Tuberosity

Attachment site for tendons and ligaments.

Trochanters

Muscle attachment sites via tendons on bones.

Tubercle

Distinctive bone marking, may indicate muscle attachment.

Intertubercular Groove

Humerus groove for biceps brachii tendon attachment.

Major Groove

Pathway for blood vessels and nerves in limbs.

Condyles

Articulating regions at distal humerus ends.

Fossas

Depressions for blood vessels and nerves on humerus.

Greater Tubercle

Proximal attachment site for triceps muscle.

Olecranon Fossa

Depression for vessels and nerves at elbow joint.

Olecranon

Elbow bone projection on the ulna.

Radial Rotation

Movement of thumb from outside to inside body.

Radius

Lateral bone of the forearm in anatomic position.

Ulna

Medial bone of the forearm in anatomic position.

Bony Elbow

Olecranon process of the ulna.

Radial Tuberosity

Attachment site for biceps muscle on radius.

Coronoid Process

Proximal articulating region of the ulna.

Interosseous Membrane

Connective tissue between radius and ulna.

Styloid Process

Projection at the distal end of the radius.

Carpus

Wrist composed of 8 carpal bones.

Metacarpals

Five bones forming the palm of the hand.

Phalanges

Fourteen bones forming the fingers.

Proximal Phalanx

First phalanx in each finger except thumb.

Middle Phalanx

Second phalanx in fingers II-V.

Distal Phalanx

Final phalanx in each finger.

Carpometacarpal Joints

Joints between carpal and metacarpal bones.

Metacarpophalangeal Joints

Joints between metacarpals and phalanges.

Interphalangeal Joints

Joints between phalanges in fingers.

1st Metacarpal

Lateral bone of the hand's base.

5th Metacarpal

Medial bone of the hand's base.

Gluteal Region

Area from pelvis to hip joint.

Thigh

Segment between hip and knee joint.

Leg

Segment between knee and ankle.

Foot

Distal part of the lower limb.

Sacroiliac Joint

Connects pelvic bone to sacrum.

Pelvic Girdle

Structure formed by paired hip bones.

Os Coxae

Hip bones composed of three fused bones.

Ilium

Uppermost bone of the hip structure.

Ischium

Lower bone forming the hip structure.

Pubis

Anterior bone of the hip structure.

Iliac Crest

Top edge of the ilium bone.

Pelvic Brim

Line separating true and false pelvis.

False Pelvis

Wider area above pelvic brim.

True Pelvis

Bony cavity containing reproductive organs.

Pubic Symphysis

Cartilaginous joint between hip bones.

Male Pelvis

Larger, heavier, and more narrow than female.

Female Pelvis

Wider opening for childbirth assistance.

Pelvic Outlet

Inferior opening of the pelvic cavity.

Femur

Longest, heaviest bone in the body.

Acetabulum

Socket of hip bone for femur head.

Femoral Condyles

Articulate with tibia to form knee joint.

Patella

Knee cap; only named sesamoid bone.

Greater Trochanter

Large projection for muscle attachment on femur.

Lesser Trochanter

Smaller projection for muscle attachment on femur.

Neck of Femur

Connects femur head to diaphysis.

Distal Epicondyles

Projections for knee muscle attachment on femur.

Lateral Epicondyle

Outer projection above femoral condyles.

Medial Epicondyle

Inner projection above femoral condyles.

Tibia

Largest leg bone; weight-bearing.

Fibula

Smaller leg bone; non-weight bearing.

Condyles

Rounded ends of bones for articulation.

Talus

Ankle bone articulating with tibia and fibula.

Lateral Malleolus

Projection of fibula at ankle.

Medial Malleolus

Projection of tibia at ankle.

Tibial Tuberosity

Protrusion for patellar ligament attachment.

Calcaneus

Largest tarsal bone; forms heel.

Metatarsals

Long bones in the foot, five total.

Phalanges

Toe bones; three per toe except hallux.

Tarsal Bones

Seven bones forming the ankle.

Foot Arches

Support body weight; provide leverage.

Flatfeet

Condition where foot arches decrease.

MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament)

Connects femur to tibia; common injury site.

Interosseous Membrane

Connective tissue joining tibia and fibula.

Patellofemoral Joint

Joint between patella and femur; enhances leverage.