Skeletal System: Axial and Appendicular Skeleton Anatomy & Physiology

Vocabulary flashcards focused on key terms and concepts from the skeletal system, including definitions for structures related to the axial and appendicular skeleton.

Axial Skeleton

Composed of bones along the central body axis, including the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

Bones of the upper and lower limbs, including girdles that attach limbs to the axial skeleton.

Pectoral Girdle

Holds the upper limbs in place.

Pelvic Girdle

Holds the lower limbs in place.

Facet

Small, flat, shallow surface on a bone.

Crest

Narrow, prominent, ridgelike projection on a bone.

Fossa

Flattened or shallow depression in a bone.

Spine

Pointed, slender process on a bone.

Line

Low ridge on a bone.

Foramen

Opening or hole in a bone.

Ramus

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

Trochanter

Massive, rough projection found only on the femur.

Head

Prominent, rounded epiphysis on a bone.

Condyle

Large, smooth, rounded, oval structure on a bone.

Epicondyle

Projection adjacent to a condyle on a bone.

Sulcus

Narrow groove on a bone.

Alveolus

Deep pit or socket in the maxillae or mandible.

Canal

Passageway through a bone.

Fissure

Narrow, slitlike opening through a bone.

Meatus

Canal-like passageway within a bone.

Sinus

Cavity or hollow space within a bone.

Cranial Bones

Form the rounded cranium, surrounding and enclosing the brain.

Calvaria

Roof of the cranium, composed of parts of the frontal, parietal, and occipital bones.

Facial Bones

Form the face and protect entrances to the digestive and respiratory systems.

Zygomatic Bone

Facial bone that helps form the cheek.

Nasal Bone

Forms the bridge of the nose.

Maxilla

Forms the upper jaw and parts of the orbit and nasal cavity.

Mandible

Forms the lower jaw.

Orbital Cavity

Houses the eyes and associated structures.

Cranial Cavity

Largest cavity in the skull, encloses, protects, and supports the brain.

Suture

Immovable joint forming boundaries between cranial bones.

Coronal Suture

Articulation between anterior frontal and posterior parietal bones.

Lambdoid Suture

Articulation between parietal bones and occipital bone.

Sagittal Suture

Articulation between right and left parietal bones.

Squamous Suture

Articulation between temporal bone and parietal bone.

Atlas

C1 vertebra that supports the head.

Axis

C2 vertebra with a dens that allows lateral rotation.

Vertebral Column

Supports the body and houses the spinal cord.

Cervical Vertebrae

Form bones of the neck, consisting of 7 vertebrae (C1-C7).

Thoracic Vertebrae

Form superior region of the back, totaling 12 vertebrae (T1-T12).

Lumbar Vertebrae

Form the lower back, consisting of 5 vertebrae (L1-L5).

Sacrum

Formed from 5 fused vertebrae, articulates with hip bones.

Coccyx

Tailbone formed from 4 fused vertebrae.

Intervertebral Disc

Pads of fibrocartilage separating vertebral bodies.

Nucleus Pulposus

Inner gelatinous region of an intervertebral disc.

Anulus Fibrosus

Outer ring of fibrocartilage enclosing the nucleus pulposus.

Hyperkyphosis

Exaggerated convex thoracic curvature.

Hyperlordosis

Exaggerated lumbar curvature.

Scoliosis

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

Costal Facets

Articulating surfaces on thoracic vertebrae for ribs.

Ribs

Curved bones extending from thoracic vertebrae.

True Ribs

Ribs 1 to 7 that connect directly to the sternum.

False Ribs

Ribs 8 to 12 that do not connect directly to the sternum.

Floating Ribs

Ribs 11 and 12 that have no anterior attachments.

Sternum

Flat bone forming anterior midline of thoracic wall.

Manubrium

Widest and most superior portion of the sternum.

Body of Sternum

Longest part of the sternum, articulating with ribs 2 to 7.

Xiphoid Process

Inferior tip of the sternum.

Clavicle

Collarbone that connects the upper limb to the trunk.

Scapula

Shoulder blade that articulates with the humerus.

Humerus

Longest and largest bone of the upper limb.

Radius

Lateral bone of the forearm.

Ulna

Medial bone of the forearm.

Carpals

Wrist bones arranged in two rows.

Metacarpals

Bones of the palm.

Phalanges

Bones of the fingers and toes.

Pelvic Girdle

Consists of hip bones that support the body.

Acetabulum

Deep, curved depression where femur articulates with the hip bone.

Ischial Tuberosity

Roughened projection on ischium; sits bones.

Pubic Symphysis

Joint where the two pubic bones meet.

Femur

Longest, heaviest, strongest bone in the body, articulating with the acetabulum.

Patella

Kneecap that protects the knee joint.

Tibia

Weight-bearing bone of the leg.

Fibula

Slender, non-weight-bearing lateral bone of the leg.

Tarsals

Bones of the ankle.

Metatarsals

Bones forming the arch of the foot.

Arches of the Foot

Curved structures that help support body weight.

Bunion

Localized swelling at the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Pes Planus

Flat feet caused by a flattened medial longitudinal arch.

Pes Cavus

Excessively high longitudinal arches.

Clinical View: Cleft Lip

Incomplete fusion of upper jaw components in an embryo.

Clinical View: Cleft Palate

Congenital fissure in the palate midline due to incomplete fusion.

Polydactyly

Having extra digits.

Ectrodactyly

Absence of a digit.

Syndactyly

Webbing or abnormal fusion of digits.

Meromelia

Partial absence of a limb.

Phocomelia

Short, poorly formed limb.

Apical Ectodermal Ridge

Thickened ectodermal region at the tip of limb buds signaling tissue to develop.