Cat skeleton location/function

Sagittal crest of the skull

Midline ridge on top of skull; attachment for temporalis muscles (chewing).

Nuchal crest of the skull

Ridge at back of skull; attachment for neck muscles that extend head.

Tympanic bullae

Rounded chambers on underside of skull; enclose middle ear for hearing.

External acoustic (auditory) meatus

Canal opening on skull side; passage for sound into ear.

Foramen magnum

Large opening at skull base; spinal cord and vessels pass through.

Zygomatic arch

Cheekbone; protects eye, attachment for masseter muscle (chewing).

Occipital condyles

Paired protrusions beside foramen magnum; articulate with atlas (C1).

Ramus of the mandible

Vertical part of mandible; attachment for jaw muscles.

Mandibular symphysis

Midline joint where right and left mandibles meet.

Nasal turbinates

Scroll-like bones in nasal cavity; warm, moisten, filter air.

Dorsal spinous processes of vertebrae

Tall dorsal projections; muscle/ligament attachment.

Transverse processes of vertebrae

Lateral projections; attachment for muscles, articulate with ribs (thoracic).

Vertebral canal

Central passage in vertebrae; encloses spinal cord.

Vertebral bodies

Main ventral portion; supports weight, separated by discs.

Articular processes of vertebrae

Projections forming joints between vertebrae.

Manubrium

Cranial end of sternum; articulates with first ribs.

Xiphoid

Caudal end of sternum; cartilage extension, diaphragm attachment.

Glenoid cavity of scapula

Shallow socket; articulates with humeral head (shoulder joint).

Spine of the scapula

Ridge on lateral scapula; divides supraspinous/infraspinous fossae, muscle attachment.

Greater tubercle of the humerus

Large proximal prominence; major muscle attachment, palpable landmark.

Supracondyloid foramen of the humerus

Opening above medial condyle; passage for brachial artery and median nerve.

Olecranon fossa of the humerus

Depression on caudal distal humerus; receives olecranon of ulna in extension.

Lateral and medial epicondyles of the humerus

Prominences at distal humerus; attachment for forearm muscles.

Radial head

Proximal end of radius; articulates with humerus and ulna.

Medial styloid process of the radius

Distal projection; ligament attachment at carpus.

Olecranon of the ulna

Proximal process; forms point of elbow, triceps attachment.

Trochlear notch of the ulna

Curved articular surface; articulates with humeral trochlea at elbow.

Anconeal process of the ulna

Projection at proximal trochlear notch; stabilizes elbow joint.

Lateral styloid process of the ulna

Distal projection; ligament attachment at carpus.

Acetabulum of the os coxae

Deep socket; articulates with femoral head (hip joint).

Obturator foramen of the os coxae

Large opening; passage for vessels/nerves, reduces bone weight.

Ischial tuberosity of the os coxae

Posterior projection; hamstring muscle attachment, weight-bearing in sitting.

Pubic symphysis

Midline joint where pubic bones meet.

Femoral head and neck

Rounded proximal femur; articulates with acetabulum (hip joint).

Greater trochanter

Large lateral prominence on femur; major hip/thigh muscle attachment.

Fovea capitus of the femur

Pit on femoral head; ligament attachment to acetabulum.

Femoral condyles

Rounded distal prominences; articulate with tibia and menisci at knee.

Trochlear groove of the femur

Groove between condyles; patella glides here.

Medial and lateral fabellae

Small sesamoid bones behind femoral condyles; embedded in gastrocnemius tendons.

Tibial tuberosity

Proximal prominence; patellar ligament attaches.

Tibial crest

Sharp ridge on anterior tibia; muscle attachment.

Medial malleolus of the tibia

Distal projection; forms medial ankle, ligament attachment.

Head of the fibula

Proximal end; articulates with tibia, muscle attachment.

Lateral malleolus

Distal fibula projection; forms lateral ankle.

Tuber calcanei of the calcaneus

Heel bone projection; attachment for Achilles tendon.

Trochlea of the talus

Grooved surface; articulates with tibia/fibula forming hock joint.