Human Anatomy: Appendicular Skeleton, Axial Skeleton, Tissues, Integument, and Articulations

Vocabulary flashcards covering the human appendicular skeleton, axial skeleton, articulations, tissues, integumentary system, and directional terminology.

Pectoral Girdle

The skeletal structure formed by the clavicle and scapula that attaches the upper limb to the axial skeleton.

Clavicle Sternal End and Acromial End

The sternal end is the medial portion articulating with the manubrium of the sternum, while the acromial end is the lateral portion articulating with the acromion of the scapula.

Conoid tubercle/process

A prominent landmark located on the inferior surface near the acromial end of the clavicle.

Subscapular Fossa

The smooth, concave depression occupying the anterior surface (underside) of the scapula.

Glenoid Fossa

A shallow depression on the lateral angle of the scapula that articulates with the head of the humerus.

Deltoid Tuberosity

A rough, V-shaped area on the lateral shaft of the humerus providing attachment for the deltoid muscle.

Capitulum

The smooth, rounded lateral eminence on the distal end of the humerus that articulates with the head of the radius.

Trochlea

A pulley-shaped medial articular surface on the distal end of the humerus that articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Olecranon Fossa

A deep depression on the posterior distal humerus that accommodates the olecranon process of the ulna when the elbow is extended.

Radial Tuberosity

A rough oval elevation on the medial side of the radius distal to its neck, serving as an insertion site for muscles.

Os Coxa

The hip bone composed of three fused bones: the ilium, ischium, and pubis.

Auricular Surface

An ear-shaped, rough articulation surface located on the medial aspect of the ilium that joins with the sacrum.

Ischial Tuberosity

A rough, prominent posterior-inferior projection of the ischium that supports body weight during sitting.

Acetabulum

A deep, cup-shaped socket on the lateral surface of the os coxa that articulates with the head of the femur.

Obturator Foramen

A large opening in the os coxa bounded by the rami of the pubis and ischium.

Linea Aspera

A prominent longitudinal ridge on the posterior surface of the femur shaft.

Tibial Tuberosity

A rough elevation on the anterior proximal end of the tibia that serves as the attachment site for the patellar ligament.

Medial Malleolus

A prominent bony projection forming the distal medial extremity of the tibia, constituting the inner ankle bump.

Lateral Malleolus

The expanded distal extremity of the fibula that forms the outer ankle bump.

Calcaneus

The largest tarsal bone forming the heel of the foot.

Talus

The tarsal bone that articulates superiorly with the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

An intracapsular knee ligament that inserts on the anterior surface of the tibia.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

An intracapsular knee ligament that inserts on the posterior surface of the tibia.

Foramen

An opening or hole through a bone for the passage of blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments.

Fissure

A narrow, slit-like opening through a bone.

Canal

A tube-like passageway or tunnel running through a bone.

Fossa

A shallow or deep depression in or on a bone.

Facet

A smooth, flat articular surface on a bone involved in joint formation.

Condyle

A large, smooth, rounded protuberance on a bone involved in joint articulation.

Epicondyle

A prominent projection or protuberance situated above a condyle.

Contralateral

Anatomical orientation term meaning located on or pertaining to the opposite side of the body.

Ipsilateral

Anatomical orientation term meaning located on or pertaining to the same side of the body.

Antebrachium

The regional anatomical term referring specifically to the forearm.

Brachium

The regional anatomical term referring to the upper arm between the shoulder and elbow.

Axilla

The regional anatomical term for the armpit.

Popliteal Region

The regional anatomical area corresponding to the posterior side of the knee joint.

Arrector Pili

A smooth muscle associated with hair follicles that contracts to pull the hair shaft upright.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Epithelial tissue composed of a single layer of cube-like cells with round, central nuclei.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Epithelial tissue formed by a single layer of tall, elongated cells with oval nuclei located near the basal surface.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Epithelial tissue consisting of multiple cell layers with flattened, scale-like cells at the apical surface for protective functions.

Adipose Connective Tissue

A type of connective tissue composed predominantly of adipocytes specialized for fat storage and insulation.

Hyaline Cartilage

Connective tissue characterized by chondrocytes residing within lacunae surrounded by a smooth, glossy matrix.

Bone Connective Tissue

Rigid connective tissue organized in osteons containing calcified extracellular matrix and osteocytes in lacunae.

Smooth Muscle Tissue

Non-striated, involuntary muscle tissue featuring spindle-shaped cells with a single centrally located nucleus.

Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Striated, voluntary muscle tissue composed of long, cylindrical, multinucleated muscle fibers.

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Striated, involuntary muscle tissue found in the heart, consisting of branched cells joined by intercalated discs.

Neurons

Specialized nerve cells of nervous tissue responsible for transmitting electrical signals.

Cranial Bones

The 8 bones enclosing the braincase: frontal bone, 2 parietal bones, 2 temporal bones, occipital bone, sphenoid bone, and ethmoid bone.

Facial Bones

The 14 bones constituting the face: 2 nasal bones, 2 lacrimal bones, 2 inferior nasal conchae, 2 zygomatic bones, 2 maxillae, vomer, mandible, and 2 palatine bones.

Superciliary Arch

A prominent ridge above the orbits on the frontal bone that is typically more pronounced in males.

Hypoglossal Canal

A passage through the occipital bone that transmits the hypoglossal nerve.

Petrous Region

A dense, wedge-shaped portion of the temporal bone that houses the internal ear structures.

Cribriform Plate

A perforated horizontal plate of the ethmoid bone that allows passage for olfactory nerves.

Crista Galli

A superior triangular process of the ethmoid bone that serves as an attachment site for brain membranes.

Sella Turcica

A saddle-shaped depression on the superior surface of the sphenoid bone that houses the pituitary gland.

Optic Canal

An opening in the sphenoid bone serving as the passage for the optic nerve.

Teeth Categories and Counts

Human dentition consists of Incisors (4 upper, 4 lower), Canines (2 upper, 2 lower), Premolars (4 upper, 4 lower), and Molars (6 upper, 6 lower).

Mandibular Condyle

The posterior articulation process of the mandible ramus that fits into the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone.

Hyoid Bone

A U-shaped bone in the neck that does not articulate directly with any other bone.

Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2)

C1 (Atlas) lacks a centrum/body; C2 (Axis) possesses the dens (odontoid process) projecting superiorly into C1.

Thoracic Vertebrae

Vertebrae characterized by costal facets for rib attachment, heart-shaped bodies, and inferiorly directed spinous processes.

Lumbar Vertebrae

Vertebrae characterized by large oval bodies, triangular vertebral canals, and short, blunt spinous processes pointing posteriorly.

True Ribs

Rib pairs 1 through 7 that attach directly to the sternum via individual costal cartilages.

False Ribs

Rib pairs 8 through 12 that do not attach directly to the sternum; pairs 8-10 join indirectly by attaching to the costal cartilage of rib 7.

Floating Ribs

Rib pairs 11 and 12, a subset of false ribs that lack any anterior connection to the sternum.

Sternum Structure

The breastbone composed of three fused parts: the superior manubrium, central body, and inferior xiphoid process.

Periosteum and Endosteum

The periosteum is the fibrous outer membrane covering bone; the endosteum is the inner membrane lining bone cavities.

Osteon

The structural unit of compact bone consisting of concentric lamellae surrounding a central canal; also known as a Haversian system.

Central Canal vs. Perforating Canal

The central canal (Haversian canal) runs longitudinally down the center of an osteon; the perforating canal (Volkmann's canal) runs transversely to connect central canals.

Sharpey's Fibers

Bundles of collagen fibers that secure the periosteum to the underlying bone; also called penetrating fibers.

Lacuna

A small space or cavity in the bone or cartilage matrix that houses an osteocyte or chondrocyte.