Anatomy and Physiology - Appendicular Skeleton

• Appendicular skeleton: limbs and girdles connecting them to the axial skeleton; enables movement via muscle connections and articulations forming joints.

Pectoral Girdle

• Clavicle and scapula.

• Articulates with sternum anteriorly.

• Stabilized by muscles, attaching upper limb to axial skeleton.

Clavicle

• S-shaped collar bone.

• Articulates with sternum and acromion.

• Landmarks: sternal and acromial ends.

Scapula

• Muscle attachment site.

• Landmarks: spine, acromion, glenoid cavity, coracoid process, borders, angles, fossae.

Upper Limb

• Regions (number of bones):

  • Arm (1)

  • Forearm (2)

  • Wrist (8)

  • Palm (5)

  • Fingers (14)

Humerus

• Largest upper limb bone.

• Articulates with glenoid cavity, radius, and ulna.

• Landmarks:

  • Proximal: head, anatomical/surgical necks, tubercles, deltoid tuberosity.

  • Distal: capitulum, trochlea, fossae, epicondyles.

Ulna and Radius

• Ulna (medial), radius (lateral), interosseous membrane.

• Articulate with humerus and carpals.

• Landmarks:

  • Ulna: olecranon, coronoid process, trochlear/radial notches, tuberosity, head, styloid process.

  • Radius: head, neck, tuberosity, ulnar notch, styloid process.

Carpals, Metacarpals, Phalanges

• Carpus: 8 carpal bones, carpal tunnel.

• Metacarpals: 5 palm bones.

• Phalanges: 3 per finger (2 in thumb).

Pelvic Girdle

• Two coxal bones (ilium, ischium, pubis).

• Forms pelvis, supports spine, protects viscera, attaches lower limbs.

Coxal Bone Landmarks

• Acetabulum: articulates with femur.

• Obturator foramen: ischium and pubis.

• Pelvic brim: defines pelvic cavity.

Ilium

• Largest part of hip bone.

• Landmarks: iliac crest, sciatic notch, auricular surface, arcuate line, spines.

Ischium

• Inferior, posterior hip bone.

• Landmarks: body, ramus, ischial spine/tuberosity, sciatic notch, obturator foramen.

Pubis

• Anterior, inferior hip bone, pubic arch.

• Landmarks: body, rami, crest/tubercle, obturator foramen.

False and True Pelves

• Pelvic brim boundary.

• False pelvis: superior.

• True pelvis: inferior, pelvic inlet/outlet, birth canal.

Male and Female Pelves

• Male: larger, heavier, narrower.

• Female: wider, shallower, more space in true pelvis.

Lower Limb

• Regions (number of bones):

  • Thigh (1)

  • Kneecap (1)

  • Leg (2)

  • Ankle (7)

  • Foot (5)

  • Toes (14)

Femur

• Longest, heaviest bone.

• Articulates with acetabulum, tibia, patella.

• Landmarks: body, head, neck, trochanters, fovea capitis, tuberosity, linea aspera, condyles/epicondyles.

Patella

• Sesamoid bone in quadriceps tendon, attached to tibia.

Tibia and Fibula

• Tibia (medial), fibula (lateral).

• Tibia articulates with femur; both with talus.

• Landmarks:

  • Tibia: condyles, tuberosity, border, malleolus, fibular notch.

  • Fibula: head, malleolus.

Tarsals, Metatarsals, Phalanges

• Tarsus: 7 tarsal bones (talus, calcaneus).

  • Talus: with tibia and fibula.

  • Calcaneus: heel.

• Metatarsals: 5 foot bones.

• Phalanges: 3 per toe (2 in big toe).