Bones 2

Lecture Info

Speaker / Instructor: Dr. Robbins
Course / Subject: Human anatomy (skeletal system)

Main Theme

Brief, practical identification and orientation of upper and lower limb bones, carpals/tarsals, pelvis, and key bony landmarks for exam identification.

Key Takeaways

  • Know bone names and simple landmarks for identification: radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, femur, tibia, fibula, tarsals, pelvis.

  • Use orientation cues to determine right vs left:

    • head faces medial

    • condyles/calcaneal circles face posterior

    • styloid/malleoli indicate distal sides.

  • Mnemonics and palpation techniques speed learning:

    • carpal mnemonic and hands-on palpation of iliac crest, ischial tuberosity, tibial tuberosity, malleoli, talus, calcaneus.

Topics Covered
Radius & Ulna

  • Radius: lateral (thumb) side; head at proximal, radial tuberosity below neck, styloid process distal.

  • Ulna: medial (pinky) side; olecranon (forms elbow), trochlear notch (U-shaped), coronoid process, styloid process distal.

  • Exam tip: know the names radius and ulna and the above parts.

Elbow & Wrist Joints

  • Elbow: articulation of humerus with ulna (trochlea) and radius (capitulum).

  • Wrist: articulation at distal radius; carpal bones form the carpal tunnel area (wrist crease).

Hand: Carpals, Metacarpals, Phalanges

  • Carpals: two rows (proximal, distal). Learn names and order.

    • Proximal row (lateral to medial): Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform.

    • Distal row (lateral to medial): Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate.

  • Mnemonic: “Sally Left The Party To Take Cathy Home” for scaphoid→hamate.

  • Palpation: learn on palm side; pisiform and hook of hamate are palpable landmarks.

  • Metacarpals: numbered 1–5 (thumb = 1). Palpable when squeezing a hand.

  • Phalanges: thumb and big toe have 2 joints (proximal + distal); other digits have 3 joints (proximal, middle, distal).

  • Exam tip: one midterm question may ask to name a carpal bone from a model or photo.

Pelvis & Coxal Bone

  • Pelvis composition: two coxal bones (each ilium, ischium, pubis) + sacrum + coccyx.

  • Iliac crest: palpable rounded rim where students place hands on hips.

  • Acetabulum: deep socket for femoral head; key for orientation (faces laterally).

  • Ischial tuberosity: “butt bone” felt when sitting; important palpable landmark.

  • Sex differences: female pelvis wider/more horizontal for childbirth; male pelvis more vertical.

  • Sacroiliac (SI) joints: articulation of ilium and sacrum; allow pelvic rocking and can affect sciatic nerve if malaligned.

The Weird Extra Pelvic Piece

Multiple hands-on repetitions suggested for retention (in-class finger/slide games demonstrated).

Additional Notes

  • Clinical/physiological mentions: sciatic nerve exits posterior pelvis; SI joint dysfunction can impinge nerves causing leg pain; ligament laxity affects joint stability (relevance to weightlifting and injury risk).

  • Skeleton model quality varies; anatomically correct models cost more but help identification.