BIOL 216 Practical 2 Vocab

fossa

indentation in a bone into which another structure fits

fovea

shallow pit

groove (or sulcus)

long indentation along which a narrow structure travels along

head

round projection from a bone’s epiphysis

line

long, narrow ridge

meatus (canal)

tunnel through a bone

process

prominent bony projection

protuberance

outgrowth from a bone

spine

sharp process

trochanter

large projection found only on the femur

tubercle

small, rounded bony projection

tuberosity

a large tubercle

clavicle

Collarbone; connects the sternum to the scapula and helps support the shoulder

clavicle sternal end

Medial end of the clavicle that articulates with the sternum

clavicle acromial end

Lateral end that articulates with the acromion of the scapula

scapula

Shoulder blade; flat triangular bone on the posterior thorax

supraspinous fossa

Depression above the spine of the scapula

spine of scapula

Prominent ridge on the posterior scapula that divides the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae

infraspinous fossa

Large depression below the spine of the scapula

medial border

Border of the scapula closest to the vertebral column

lateral border

Border closest to the humerus/shoulder joint

glenoid cavity

Shallow socket that articulates with the head of the humerus

acromion process

Lateral extension of the scapular spine that articulates with the clavicle

coracoid process

Hook-like projection that provides muscle and ligament attachment

acromioclavicular joint

Joint between the acromion and clavicle

sternoclavicular joint

Joint between the clavicle and sternum; the only bony connection between the upper limb and axial skeleton

humerus

Long bone of the upper arm

humerus head

Rounded proximal end that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula

greater tubercle

Large lateral projection for muscle attachment

lesser tubercle

Smaller anterior projection for muscle attachment

deltoid tuberosity

Roughened area on the humerus where the deltoid muscle attaches

coronoid fossa

Anterior depression that receives the coronoid process of the ulna when the elbow bends

capitulum

Rounded lateral surface that articulates with the head of the radius

trochlea

Pulley-shaped medial surface that articulates with the ulna

medial epicondyle (humerus)

Projection on the medial side of the humerus for muscle/ligament attachment

olecranon fossa

Posterior depression that receives the olecranon process of the ulna when the elbow extends

lateral epicondyle (humerus)

Projection on the lateral side of the humerus for muscle/ligament attachment

radius

Forearm bone on the thumb/lateral side

radius head

Disc-shaped proximal end that articulates with the capitulum of the humerus

radial tuberosity

Roughened projection below the head where the biceps brachii attaches

styloid process (radius)

Pointed projection at the distal end of the radius

ulna

Forearm bone on the pinky/medial side

trochlear notch

Large C-shaped notch that articulates with the trochlea of the humerus

olecranon

Large posterior projection forming the point of the elbow

coronoid process

Anterior projection that fits into the coronoid fossa of the humerus

proximal radioulnar joint

Joint between the radius and ulna near the elbow; allows the forearm to rotate

distal radioulnar joint

Joint between the radius and ulna near the wrist; also allows forearm rotation

styloid process (ulna)

Pointed projection at the distal end of the ulna

carpals

Eight small bones that make up the wrist

hamate

Medial carpal bone with a distinctive hook-like projection

pisiform

Small, pea-shaped carpal bone located on the anterior surface of the triquetrum

triquetrum

Carpal bone on the medial side of the proximal row

lunate

Crescent-shaped carpal bone that articulates with the radius

trapezoid

Small carpal bone next to the trapezium; articulates mainly with the 2nd metacarpal

trapezium

Carpal bone that articulates with the thumb's metacarpal

scaphoid

Carpal bone on the thumb side; articulates with the radius

capitate

Largest carpal bone; centrally located in the distal row

metacarpals (I-V)

Five bones forming the palm of the hand

I = thumb

II = index finger

III = middle finger

IV = ring finger

V = pinky

phalanges (phalanx; proximal, middle & distal)

Bones of the fingers

Proximal phalanx — First finger bone closest to the metacarpal.

Middle phalanx — Middle finger bone.

Distal phalanx — Finger bone farthest from the hand.

sacroiliac joint

Joint between the sacrum and ilium

pelvic inlet

Superior opening of the pelvis that separates the greater (false) pelvis from the lesser (true) pelvis

ilium

Large, superior portion of the hip bone

iliac crest

Superior curved border of the ilium; commonly used as a landmark for the pelvis

anterior iliac spine (superior & inferior)

Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) — Prominent projection at the front/top of the ilium; attachment for muscles and ligaments

Anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) — Projection below the ASIS; provides muscle attachment

posterior iliac spine (superior & inferior)

Posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) — Projection on the posterior ilium above the posterior inferior spine

Posterior inferior iliac spine (PIIS) — Projection below the PSIS, located above the greater sciatic notch

greater sciatic notch

Large indentation on the posterior hip bone through which the sciatic nerve and other structures pass

ischium

Posteroinferior portion of the hip bone; forms much of the lower pelvis

ischial tuberosity

Large rough projection that supports the body when sitting and provides muscle attachment

pubis

Anteroinferior portion of the hip bone

pubic arch

Arch formed by the inferior portions of the two pubic bones

obturator foramen

Large opening formed by the pubis and ischium; allows passage of nerves and blood vessels

pubic symphysis

Cartilaginous joint connecting the left and right pubic bones

acetabulum

A deep, cup-shaped socket in the pelvis that articulates with the head of the femur to form the hip joint

femur

Thigh bone; the longest and strongest bone in the body

femur head

Rounded proximal end that articulates with the acetabulum

femur neck

Narrow region connecting the head to the shaft

greater trochanter

Large lateral projection for muscle attachment

lesser trochanter

Smaller projection on the posteromedial femur for muscle attachment

gluteal tuberosity

Roughened area on the posterior femur where the gluteus maximus attaches

medial epicondyle (femur)

Projection above the medial condyle for muscle/ligament attachment

medial condyle (femur)

Rounded medial projection that articulates with the tibia

lateral epicondyle (femur)

Projection above the lateral condyle for muscle/ligament attachment

patellar surface

smooth, groove-like area on the anterior distal femur that articulates with the patella, guiding its movement during knee flexion and extension

patella

Kneecap; a sesamoid bone embedded in the quadriceps tendon that protects the knee and improves the mechanical advantage of the quadriceps

tibia

Large, medial bone of the lower leg; the main weight-bearing bone

intercondylar eminence

Raised area between the tibial condyles where knee ligaments attach

medial condyle (tibia)

Medial proximal portion of the tibia that articulates with the medial femoral condyle

lateral condyle (tibia)

Lateral proximal portion of the tibia that articulates with the lateral femoral condyle

tibial tuberosity

Rough projection on the anterior tibia where the patellar ligament attaches

anterior crest

Sharp anterior border of the tibia; commonly called the shin

medial malleolus

Projection at the distal tibia forming the inner ankle

fibula

Thin, lateral bone of the lower leg; primarily provides muscle attachment and ankle stability

fibula head

Proximal end of the fibula that articulates with the lateral tibia

lateral malleolus

Distal projection of the fibula forming the outer ankle

tarsals

Seven bones making up the ankle/posterior foot

calcaneus

Heel bone; the largest tarsal

talus

Tarsal bone that articulates with the tibia and fibula; transfers body weight to the foot

navicular

Boat-shaped tarsal located between the talus and cuneiforms

cuboid

Lateral tarsal bone that articulates with the 4th and 5th metatarsals

medial cuneiform

Cuneiform closest to the body's midline; articulates with the 1st metatarsal