Bone Markings With Examples

Facet

Small, flat, shallow, articulating surface

(ex: superior articular facet on thoracic vertebra)

Line

Low ridge

(ex: anterior, posterior, and inferior gluteal lines which are on the lateral surface of the ilium (pelvis/so coxae) and are attachment sites for the gluteal muscles of the buttock)

Tuberosity

Large, rough projection

(ex: deltoid tuberosity of the humerus which a roughened bump on the shaft of the humerus)

Trochlea

Smooth, grooved, pulley-like articular process

(ex: bottom of the humerus that articulates with the trochlea notch of the ulna)

Sulcus

Narrow groove

(ex: Intertubercular sulcus which is between the two tubercles. It is a deep depression that contains the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle)

Ramus (plural: rami)

Angular extension of a bone relative to the rest of the structure

(ex: vertical portion of mandible or the ischiopubic ramus of the pelvis which the rounded right and left bottom bones of the pelvis)

Sinus

Cavity or hollow space in a bone

(ex: sphenoid sinus)

Crest

Narrow, prominent, ridgelike projection

(ex: Iliac crest which is the superiormost ridge of the ilium. Palpate the posterosuperior edges of your hip; the ridge of bone you feel on each side)

Condyle

Large, smooth, rounded articulating oval structure

(ex: occipital condyle- they line the foramen magnum (spine hole). Articulates with first cervical vertebra).

Epicondyle

Projection adjacent to a condyle

(ex: medial and lateral epicondyle which are on the sides of the knee and are superior to each medial and lateral condyle)

Spine

Pointed, slender process

(ex: anterior superior iliac spine or posterior superior iliac spine which is where the iliac crest arises between)

Articulating surfaces

2 bones meet at a joint. These include Condyle, Facet, Head, and Trochlea

Head

Prominent, rounded epiphysis

(ex: rounded end at the top of femur or humerus)

Fossa (plural: fossae)

Flattened or shallow depression

(ex: Mandibular fossa which articulates with mandible)

Trochanter

Massive, rough projection found only on the femur

(ex: greater trochanter (bigger projection at the top of the femur) and lesser trochanter (little projection on the inside of femur towards the top))

Canal

Passageway through a bone

(ex: optic canal which is the tiny hole in upper eye)

Tubercle

Small, round projection

(ex: greater tubercle on the humerus which is positioned lateral to the head of the humerus)

Meatus

Passageway through a bone

(ex: external acoustic Meatus which is the ear canal area)

Foramen (plural: foramina)

Rounded passageway through a bone

(ex: foramen magnum which is posterior to where the spine connects to the head (spine hole))

Fissure

Narrow, slit like opening through a bone

(ex: superior orbital fissure which is the tear drop hole next to optic canal)