BIO 233 Lab 1: Superior Appendicular Skeleton – Pectoral Girdle and Upper Limb

Vocabulary flashcards covering the pectoral girdle, upper limb bones, and hand anatomy (bones and landmarks).

Pectoral girdle

The shoulder girdle formed by the scapula and clavicle that anchors the humerus.

Scapula

Shoulder blade; flat triangular bone of the pectoral girdle.

Clavicle

Collarbone; S-shaped bone connecting the upper limb to the axial skeleton.

Sternoclavicular joint

Joint between the sternum and clavicle; the main articulation linking the upper limb to the axial skeleton.

Acromioclavicular joint

Joint between the acromion of the scapula and the clavicle.

Glenohumeral joint

Shoulder joint; ball-and-socket articulation between the humeral head and the glenoid cavity.

Clavicle, sternal end

End of the clavicle that articulates with the sternum.

Clavicle, acromial end

End of the clavicle that articulates with the acromion.

Spine of the scapula

Ridge running across the posterior surface of the scapula.

Supraspinous fossa

Depression on the scapula above the spine.

Infraspinous fossa

Depression on the scapula below the spine.

Acromion

Lateral continuation of the scapular spine; forms part of the AC joint.

Coracoid process

Hook-like projection on the anterior scapula; site for muscle attachments.

Glenoid cavity (glenoid fossa)

Shallow socket that articulates with the humeral head.

Subscapularis fossa

Anterior surface depression of the scapula.

Superior border

Top edge of the scapula.

Medial border (vertebral border)

Edge on the scapula closest to the vertebral column.

Lateral border

Edge on the scapula closest to the lateral side (armpit region).

Superior angle

Top angle of the scapula.

Inferior angle

Bottom angle of the scapula.

Scapular notch

Notch along the superior border of the scapula.

Humerus

The bone of the upper arm.

Head (humerus)

Proximal rounded end that articulates with the glenoid cavity.

Diaphysis (shaft)

Long central portion of the bone.

Anatomical neck

Narrow region just below the humeral head.

Surgical neck

Narrow region distal to the anatomical neck; common fracture site.

Greater tubercle

Large lateral bump on the proximal humerus.

Lesser tubercle

Smaller anterior bump on the proximal humerus.

Intertubercular groove (bicipital groove)

Groove between tubercles for the tendon of the long head of the biceps.

Deltoid tuberosity

Roughened area on the lateral midshaft for deltoid muscle attachment.

Capitulum

Distal lateral condyle that articulates with the head of the radius.

Trochlea

Distal medial condyle that articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Medial epicondyle

Medial bump at the distal end; attachment for forearm flexor muscles.

Lateral epicondyle

Lateral bump at the distal end; attachment for forearm extensor muscles.

Coronoid fossa

Anterior depression that receives the coronoid process of the ulna during flexion.

Olecranon fossa

Posterior depression that receives the olecranon of the ulna during extension.

Radius

Lateral bone of the forearm.

Head (radius)

Proximal rounded end that articulates with the humerus.

Radial tuberosity

Bump on the radius for attachment of the biceps brachii tendon.

Ulnar notch

Distal medial notch on the radius that articulates with the ulna.

Styloid process (radius)

Distal projection on the radius aiding wrist ligament attachment.

Ulna

Medial bone of the forearm.

Trochlear notch

Ulna’s U-shaped notch that articulates with the trochlea of the humerus.

Olecranon

Proximal posterior process of the ulna forming the elbow prominence.

Coronoid process (ulna)

Anterior projection on the ulna that articulates with the humerus.

Radial notch (ulna)

Notch on the ulna for articulation with the head of the radius.

Ulnar styloid process

Distal projection on the ulna for ligament attachment.

Carpus (wrist)

The eight small bones forming the wrist.

Scaphoid

Carpal bone in the proximal row; commonly fractured.

Lunate

Carpal bone in the proximal row between scaphoid and triquetrum.

Triquetrum

Carpal bone in the proximal row, medial to the lunate.

Pisiform

Small carpal bone on the anterior surface of the triquetrum.

Trapezium

Carpal bone at the base of the thumb (proximal row, part of distal row).

Trapezoid

Carpal bone adjacent to the trapezium in the distal row.

Capitate

Largest carpal bone; central bone of the distal row.

Hamate

Carpal bone with a hook-like projection; located medially in the distal row.

Metacarpus

The palm; consists of five metacarpal bones.

Metacarpal bones I–V

The five bones of the palm, numbered from the thumb (I) to the little finger (V).

Digits I–V

The five fingers of the hand.

Pollex (digit I)

The thumb; the first digit.

Phalanges

The finger bones; total of 14 across all digits.

Proximal phalanges

Phalanges nearest the palm; digits II–V have one each.

Middle (intermediate) phalanges

Phalanges between proximal and distal; digits II–V have these.

Distal phalanges

Phalanges at the fingertips.