HUBS191 - Bone Terminology

Flat Bones (Shape and Function)

Have smooth and flat surfaces and protect underlying soft tissues.

Sutural Bones (Shape and Function)

Often small, flat, and irregular. They don’t really have much of a function apart from filling holes in the skull.

Long Bones (Shape and Function)

Longer than they are wide and often slender. Function as levers for movement.

Short Bones (Shape and Function)

Often circle or square-shaped. Gives stability to the wrist and ankle joints.

Sesamoid Bones (Shape and Function)

Often small, flat, and sesame seed shaped. Relieves tension within muscles and tendons.

Irregular Bones (Shape and Function)

Often do not fall into any other category and possess a foramen or foramina. They are often found as vertebral bones, supporting the trachea and pharynx, and protecting nerve tissue.

Canal/Meatus (Description)

A large passageway through bone.

Process (Description)

Any projection or bump.

Sinus (Description)

A chamber within the bone, generally filled with air.

Foramen (Description)

Small, round passageways through the bone for nerves and blood vessels.

Fissure (Description)

An elongated fissure or gap within the bone.

Head (Description)

Expanded proximal end of bone.

Tubercle (Description)

A small, rounded projection.

Sulcus (Description)

A deep, narrow groove.

Tuberosity (Description)

A small, rough projection in a broad area of the bone surface.

Diaphysis (Description)

The elongated body of a bone.

Trochlea (Description)

A smooth, grooved articular process shaped like a pulley.

Condyle (Description)

A smooth, rounded articular process.

Trochanter (Description)

A large, rough projection.

Neck (Description)

A narrow connection between the head and the diaphysis of a bone.

Facet (Description)

A small, flat articular surface.

Crest (Description)

A prominent ridge.

Fossa (Description)

A shallow depression/recess in the bone surface.

Line (Description)

A low ridge, more delicate than the crest.

Spine (Description)

A pointed/narrow process.

Ramus (Description)

A thick projection that makes an angle with the main body of the bone.

Skull: Maxillae (2) (Location)

Located from inner orbit to snout.

Skull: Palatine Bones (2) (Location)

Forms hard posterior portion of palate and contributes to orbit floors

Skull: Nasal Bones (2) (Location)

Supports the superior portion of the nasal bridge.

Skull: Inferior Nasal Conchae (2) (Location)

Found in nasal passage, creates air turbulence to heat up nasal passage.

Skull: Zygomatic Bones (2) (Location)

The cheekbones.

Skull: Lacrimal Bones (2) (Location)

Forms inner medial wall of orbits.

Skull: Vomer (Location)

Forms lower nasal septum.

Skull: Mandible (Description)

The jawbone.

Skull: Temporal Bones (2) (Description)

Forms sides of skull around the ears, possesses the Mastoid Process and the Styloid Process for head articulation muscle attachment. Meets the Parietal bones at the Squamous Sutures.

Skull: Parietal bones (2) (Description)

Forms each top half of the skull up to the Coronal Suture (middle of head). Joins at the Sagittal Suture.

Skull: Frontal Bone (Description)

Forms the forehead and part of the top of the head. Meets Parietal bones at the Coronal Suture.

Skull: Occipital Bone (Description)

Located near the occipital lobe of the brain. Forms the Inferior and Posterior portions of the skull. Meets the Parietal and Temporal bones at the Lambdoid Suture.

Skull: Sphenoid (Description)

Forms part of the Anterior cranium floor and inferior nasal cavity.

Skull: Ethmoid (Description)

Forms the anteromedial (front and centre) portion of the cranium floor and the roof of the Nasal Cavity.

Skull Associated: Hyoid Bone (Description)

Found in the throat; Supports the larynx and is the attachment site for muscles of the larynx, pharynx, and tongue.

Skull Associated: Auditory Ossicles (6) (Description)

The Malleus (Hammer), Incus (Anvil), and Stapes (Stirrup) make up the Auditory Ossicles in each ear, also being responsible for hearing.

How many Vertebrae are there?

7 Cervical, 12 Thoracic, 5 Lumbar.

Vertebral Terms: Articular Process

Extends superiorly and inferiorly from the vertebra to articulate with other vertebrae.

Vertebral Terms: Vertebral Arch

Forms the posterior and lateral margins of the foramen.

Vertebral Terms: Vertebral Body

The main, weight-transferring part of the vertebra.

Vertebral Terms: Spinous Process

The large posterior spine of the vertebra.

Vertebral Terms: Laminae

Forms the “roof” of the foramen.

Vertebral Terms: Transverse Process

Processes that form on the sides of the vertebra, used for muscle attachment and articulation.

Vertebral Terms: Pedicles

Connects the vertebral arch to the vertebral body.

Vertebral Terms: Intervertebral Discs

Fibrocartilage pads between vertebrae that keeps the vertebrae separate and articulate.

Vertebral Terms: Intervertebral Canal

The channel created by consecutive vertebral foramina.

Thoracic Cage: