Human Skeleton Anatomy - Upper and Lower Limb Bones

Comprehensive question-and-answer practice flashcards reviewing upper and lower limb bone anatomy, key bony landmarks, muscle attachments, and applied clinical correlations.

What is the quick rule for side determination of the scapula?

"Spine backward, Glenoid outward, Coracoid forward."

Which nerve and vessels pass over the suprascapular notch of the scapula?

Suprascapular nerve and suprascapular vessels.

Which muscles attach to the lateral (axillary) border of the scapula?

Teres minor, Teres major, and the long head of triceps.

Winging of the scapula is caused by injury to which nerve and paralysis of which muscle?

Injury to the long thoracic nerve causing paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle.

What are the unique or peculiar features of the clavicle?

It is the only long bone placed horizontally, has no medullary cavity, is the first bone to start ossification (with two primary centers), ossifies mainly in membrane, and is subcutaneous throughout its length.

Where is the common fracture site of the clavicle, and how are the fragments displaced?

At the junction of the medial 2/3 and lateral 1/3. The medial fragment is pulled upward by the sternocleidomastoid, and the lateral fragment is pulled downward by gravity.

Which muscles attach to the greater tubercle of the humerus?

Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, and Teres minor.

Which nerve and artery are at risk of injury in a fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus?

The axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery.

What structures pass through the radial (spiral) groove of the humerus?

The radial nerve and profunda brachii artery.

Which nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle of the humerus?

The ulnar nerve.

What is the quick rule for side determination of the radius?

"Tuberosity medial, styloid lateral, dorsal tubercle backward."

What is Colles' fracture and what classic deformity does it produce?

A fracture of the distal radius about 2 cm above the wrist, producing a dinner fork deformity.

What is the quick rule for side determination of the ulna?

"Trochlear notch forward, radial notch lateral, styloid medial."

What is a Monteggia fracture-dislocation?

A fracture of the ulna accompanied by dislocation of the radial head.

Which three bones fuse to form the hip bone (os coxae)?

Ilium, Ischium, and Pubis.

How do the subpubic angle and greater sciatic notch differ between male and female pelvises?

In males, the subpubic angle is < 70° and the greater sciatic notch is narrow (V-shaped). In females, the subpubic angle is > 80-90° and the greater sciatic notch is wide (U-shaped).

Which gluteal muscles attach to the gluteal surface of the ilium relative to the gluteal lines?

Gluteus maximus behind the posterior line, Gluteus medius between the posterior and anterior lines, and Gluteus minimus between the anterior and inferior lines.

What major nerve passes through the greater sciatic notch?

The sciatic nerve.

Which structure of the ischium is known as the "sitting bone" and gives origin to the hamstring muscles?

The ischial tuberosity.

What structures pass through the lesser sciatic foramen?

Tendon of obturator internus, pudendal nerve, internal pudendal vessels, and nerve to obturator internus.

What structures pass through the obturator canal?

Obturator nerve, obturator artery, and obturator vein.

What is the normal angle of inclination of the femur neck, and what are coxa valga and coxa vara?

Normal angle is ~125°. Coxa valga is an increased angle (>125°), and coxa vara is a decreased angle (<125°).

Which muscles attach to the greater trochanter of the femur?

Piriformis, Gluteus medius, Gluteus minimus, Obturator internus, Gemelli (superior & inferior), and Obturator externus.

What is the direction of the nutrient foramen of the femur, and what mnemonic describes it?

It is directed upward; described by the mnemonic "To the elbow I go, from the knee I flee."

Which three muscles attach to the medial surface of the tibia to form the Pes Anserinus?

Sartorius, Gracilis, and Semitendinosus.

Where is Gerdy's tubercle located and what structure attaches to it?

Located on the anterolateral side of the lateral condyle of the tibia; gives attachment to the iliotibial tract.

Which nerve winds around the neck of the fibula, and what clinical presentation results from its injury?

The common peroneal nerve; injury causes foot drop (loss of dorsiflexion).

What depression is located on the medial side of the lateral malleolus and what ligament attaches there?

The malleolar fossa, which provides attachment for the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL).

List the 8 carpal bones in the proximal and distal rows from lateral to medial.

Proximal row: Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform. Distal row: Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate.

Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured, and which is most commonly dislocated?

Scaphoid is most commonly fractured; Lunate is most commonly dislocated.

What forms the roof of the carpal tunnel and what structures pass through it?

Roof is formed by the flexor retinaculum; contents are the median nerve and 9 flexor tendons.

What is unique about muscle attachments on the talus bone?

The talus has no muscle attachments.

Which process on the medial side of the calcaneus features a groove for the flexor hallucis longus tendon?

Sustentaculum tali.

What structure is located at the base of the 5th metatarsal, which muscle attaches to it, and what fracture occurs there?

Styloid process (tuberosity); Peroneus brevis attaches here; Jones fracture (or avulsion fracture) occurs here.