Bone Surface Markings Study Notes
Bone Surface Markings
Overview of Bone Surface Markings
- Bones exhibit characteristic surface markings that serve various functions.
- Types of Surface Markings:
- Depressions and Openings:
- Allow the passage of soft tissues and form joints.
- Sites allowing the passage of soft tissue (such as nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons) or the formation of joints.
- Processes:
- Projections or outgrowths that form joints and serve as attachment points for ligaments and tendons.
Specific Surface Markings Explained
Common Terms and Definitions
- Fossa:
- A shallow depression in a bone.
- Foramen:
- A hole through which blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments pass.
- Condyle:
- A rounded projection with a smooth articular surface.
Examples of Bone Surface Markings
- The surface markings are structural features that adapt to specific functions and occur in various bones.
- Hip Bone and Femur:
- Greater trochanter
- Head
- Neck
- Intertrochanteric line
- Crest
- Gluteal tuberosity
- Lesser trochanter
- Linea aspera
- Body
- Adductor tubercle
- Medial epicondyle
- Lateral epicondyle
- Medial condyle
- Lateral condyle
- Fibula
Anterior and Posterior Views of Surface Markings
- Anterior View: Includes structures such as the greater trochanter, head, neck, and various lines and tuberosities.
- Posterior View: Displays the lateral epicondyle, intercondylar fossa, and lateral condyle of the Fibula.
Additional Surface Markings
Fissures
- Definition: A narrow slit between adjacent parts of bones through which blood vessels or nerves pass.
- Example: Superior orbital fissure of the sphenoid bone.
Summary of Additional Surface Markings
| Marking | Description | Example |
|---|
| Foramen | Opening through which blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments pass. | Optic canal of sphenoid bone |
| Fossa | Shallow depression. | Coronoid fossa of humerus |
| Sulcus | Furrow along the bone surface that accommodates a blood vessel, nerve, or tendon. | Intertubercular sulcus of humerus |
| Meatus | Tubelike opening. | External acoustic meatus |
Descriptions of Specific Bone Markings
| Marking | Description | Example |
|---|
| Facet | Smooth, flat, slightly concave or convex articular surface. | Superior articular facet of a vertebra |
| Head | Rounded articular projection supported on neck (constricted portion) of a bone. | Head of femur |
| Crest | Prominent ridge or elongated projection. | Iliac crest of the hip bone |
| Condyle | Large, round protuberance with a smooth articular surface at the end of a bone. | Lateral condyle of femur |
- Process markings serve as critical attachment points for connective tissues.
- Example of Process Markings: Adductor tubercle, medial epicondyle, medial condyle (as seen in the femur).
- Significant in the structural integrity of the skeletal system.
- Key Example: Median sacral crest, showing how bone architecture supports joint functionality and stability.
