Upper & Lower Extremity Skeletal Anatomy – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major bones, landmarks, and joint terminology of the upper limb (clavicle to phalanges) and introductory pelvis topics from the lecture transcript.

Clavicle

Long, slender bone of the pectoral girdle connecting sternum and scapula; formerly called the collarbone.

Sternal Extremity (of clavicle)

Medial, axe-chopped end of the clavicle that articulates with the manubrium of the sternum.

Acromial Extremity (of clavicle)

Flattened, paddle-shaped lateral end of the clavicle that articulates with the acromion of the scapula.

Manubrium

Superior segment of the sternum; receives the sternal extremity of the clavicle.

Acromion

Bony projection of the scapula that meets the acromial extremity of the clavicle.

Pectoral Girdle

Bony ring formed by scapulae and clavicles; attaches upper limb to axial skeleton (preferred over ‘shoulder girdle’).

Scapula

Flat triangular bone of the upper back; anchor for shoulder muscles and acromion.

Humerus

Proximal bone of the arm, extending from shoulder to elbow.

Head (of humerus)

Rounded proximal surface of the humerus that fits into the glenoid cavity.

Anatomical Neck (humerus)

Groove immediately distal to the head; true neck of the humerus.

Surgical Neck (humerus)

Constriction distal to tubercles; common fracture site addressed surgically.

Greater Tubercle

Large lateral projection of the proximal humerus for muscle attachment.

Lesser Tubercle

Anterior, smaller projection of the humerus; helps indicate the bone’s front side.

Intertubercular Groove

Channel between greater and lesser tubercles; transmits tendon of the long head of biceps brachii.

Deltoid Tuberosity

Rough lateral mid-shaft area of humerus where deltoid muscle inserts.

Trochlea

Pulley-shaped medial condyle on distal humerus that articulates with the ulna.

Capitulum

Rounded lateral condyle on distal humerus that articulates with the head of the radius ("cap on the head").

Ulna

Medial bone of the forearm distinguished by a proximal U-shaped notch.

Trochlear Notch

Large U-shaped concavity of ulna that grips the trochlea of the humerus.

Olecranon

Posterior projection of ulna forming the bony tip of the elbow ("funny bone").

Coronoid Process

Anterior projection of ulna that helps form the trochlear notch.

Styloid Process (ulna)

Pointed distal projection palpated on medial side of the wrist.

Radius

Lateral forearm bone with a round proximal head that rotates during pronation–supination.

Radial Tuberosity

Rough bump just distal to radial head; insertion of biceps brachii.

Styloid Process (radius)

Distal lateral spike of radius; less palpable, partly covered by carpal bones.

Medial Epicondyle (humerus)

Bulging medial projection at distal humerus; easily felt at inner elbow.

Supination

Forearm rotation turning palm anterior (or up); radius and ulna are parallel.

Pronation

Forearm rotation turning palm posterior (or down); radius crosses over ulna.

Carpal Bones

Eight short bones forming the wrist, arranged in proximal and distal rows.

Scaphoid

Boat-shaped lateral bone of proximal carpal row; common fracture site.

Lunate

Crescent-shaped bone next to scaphoid in proximal row.

Triquetrum

Proximal carpal bone medial to lunate; supports pisiform.

Pisiform

Pea-shaped sesamoid bone sitting atop triquetrum on anterior wrist.

Trapezium

Lateral bone of distal carpal row; articulates with first metacarpal (thumb).

Trapezoid

Small distal carpal bone between trapezium and capitate.

Capitate

Largest central carpal bone; head-like shape spans both rows.

Hamate

Distal medial carpal bone characterized by its anterior hook (hamulus).

Metacarpals

Five palm bones numbered I–V from thumb (lateral) to little finger (medial).

Phalanges

Digital bones; each finger has proximal, intermediate, and distal phalanges except the thumb, which has only proximal and distal.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference stance: standing, palms forward; radius and ulna are parallel.

Sacroiliac Joint

Articulation between ilium and sacrum; partly synovial, source of low-back pain when inflamed.

Ilium

Superior, fan-shaped portion of the os coxae (hip bone).

Ischium

Posteroinferior part of hip bone; bears weight when sitting.

Pubis

Anteroinferior part of hip bone; meets its mate at the pubic symphysis.

Iliac Crest

Curved superior border of ilium; easily palpated along waistline.

Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS)

Prominent anterior end of iliac crest; landmark for surface anatomy.

Greater Sciatic Notch

Large posterior indentation of ilium through which the sciatic nerve exits the pelvis.