Osteology V Lab – Skull, Vertebral Column & Thoracic Cage Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering sutures, fontanelles, vertebral structures, vertebra types, sternum parts, and rib landmarks from the Osteology V Lab lecture.

Coronal (Frontal) Suture

Horizontal suture connecting frontal and parietal bones; runs ear-to-ear across the top of the skull like a crown.

Sagittal Suture

Midline suture connecting the left and right parietal bones; runs front-to-back along the superior skull.

Squamous Suture

Arch-shaped lateral suture connecting temporal and parietal bones near the ear.

Lambdoid Suture

Inverted-V-shaped suture on the posterior skull connecting occipital and parietal bones; named after Greek letter lambda (λ).

Anterior Fontanelle

Largest soft spot between frontal and parietal bones in newborns; closes by 18–24 months.

Posterior Fontanelle

Small triangular soft spot at junction of parietal and occipital bones; closes by 2–3 months.

Mastoid Fontanelle

Lateral infant skull soft spot where temporal, parietal, and occipital bones meet; closes ~6–18 months.

Sphenoid Fontanelle

Lateral infant skull soft spot where frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones meet; closes 6 months–2 years.

Body (Centrum) of Vertebra

Oval, anterior portion of a vertebra that supports body weight.

Vertebral Foramen

Large central opening in each vertebra through which the spinal cord passes.

Intervertebral Foramen

Paired openings between adjacent vertebrae that allow spinal nerves to exit the vertebral column.

Pedicle

Short bony bridge forming the sides of the vertebral foramen; links the body to the vertebral arch.

Lamina

Thin bony plate forming the posterior wall of the vertebral foramen.

Spinous Process

Posterior bony projection where the two laminae meet; palpable bumps along the back.

Transverse Process

Paired lateral bony projections extending from the vertebral arch.

Superior Articular Process

Upward-projecting bony process forming joints with the vertebra above.

Superior Articular Facet

Smooth flat surface on the superior articular process that contacts the vertebra above.

Inferior Articular Process

Downward-projecting bony process forming joints with the vertebra below.

Inferior Articular Facet

Smooth flat surface on the inferior articular process that contacts the vertebra below.

Cervical Vertebrae (C1–C7)

Seven neck vertebrae; small bodies, bifid spinous processes, and transverse foramina (three holes visible).

Transverse Foramen

Small hole in each transverse process of cervical vertebrae for passage of vertebral arteries.

Atlas (C1)

First cervical vertebra; ring-shaped, lacking body and spinous process; articulates with occipital condyles.

Axis (C2) / Dens

Second cervical vertebra distinguished by dens (odontoid process), a tooth-like projection allowing head rotation.

Thoracic Vertebrae (T1–T12)

Mid-back vertebrae with long downward spinous processes and costal facets for rib articulation; no transverse foramina.

Transverse Costal Facet

Smooth surface on transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae that articulates with rib tubercles.

Superior Costal Facet

Smooth surface on upper part of thoracic vertebral body for rib head articulation.

Inferior Costal Facet

Smooth surface on lower part of thoracic vertebral body for rib head articulation.

Lumbar Vertebrae (L1–L5)

Largest vertebrae in lower back; thick bodies, blunt spinous processes, no costal facets or transverse foramina.

Sacrum

Large triangular bone formed by fused vertebrae; forms posterior pelvic wall between hip bones.

Coccyx

Small triangular tailbone composed of 3–5 fused vertebrae at the base of the spine.

Sternum

Flat midline chest bone connecting ribs 1–7 via costal cartilages and articulating with clavicles.

Manubrium of Sternum

Triangular superior portion of sternum; articulates with ribs 1–2 and clavicles.

Jugular Notch

Prominent concavity on the superior border of the manubrium.

Clavicular Notch

Lateral indentation on the manubrium that articulates with the clavicle.

Body of Sternum

Long mid-portion of sternum between manubrium and xiphoid process; articulates with ribs 2–7.

Xiphoid Process

Pointed inferior tip of sternum; name means “sword-shaped.”

Head of Rib

Rounded posterior end of a rib that articulates with vertebral bodies.

Neck of Rib

Slender flattened region between rib head and tubercle.

Tubercle of Rib

Small bump on a rib that articulates with the transverse process of a thoracic vertebra.

Costal Groove

Shallow channel along inner lower edge of rib shaft for blood vessels and nerves.

Angle of Rib

Point where a rib changes direction, marking the greatest curvature.