Comprehensive Human Skeletal Anatomy Guide

Cranial and Facial Bone Structures

  • Frontal: Forehead and front area of the skull.

  • Parietal: Top and upper side regions of the skull.

  • Temporal: Side of the skull, corresponding to the ear region.

  • Occipital: Back and floor of the skull.

  • Nasal: Bridge of the nose.

  • Zygomatic: Cheekbone.

  • Maxilla: Upper jaw.

  • Mandible: Lower jaw.

  • Auditory meatus: Ear hole.

  • Mastoid process: Located behind the ear.

  • Nuchal line: Back skull ridge.

Thoracic Cage and Shoulder Girdle

  • Clavicle: Collarbone.

  • Scapula: Shoulder blade.

  • Sternum: Centre chest, divided into three anatomical regions:

    • Manubrium: TOP sternum.

    • Body: MIDDLE sternum.

    • Xiphoid: BOTTOM sternum.

  • Rib Classifications:

    • Ribs 1–7: TRUE / direct ribs.

    • Ribs 8–10: FALSE / indirect ribs.

    • Ribs 11–12: FLOATING ribs.

  • First Thoracic Vertebra (T1): Upper / low neck vertebra.

Vertebral Column and Spinal Anatomy


Handwritten study guide of human skeletal anatomy regions

  • Atlas: 1st vertebra (C1C1); located under skull.

  • Axis: 2nd vertebra (C2C2); located under Atlas.

  • Cervical Region: Neck region consisting of vertebrae 1–7.

    • Seventh Cervical Vertebra: Low / bottom neck vertebra.

  • Thoracic Region: Upper / middle back consisting of vertebrae 1–12.

    • Twelfth Thoracic Vertebra: Low thoracic / top lumbar region; located below thoracic.

  • Lumbar Region: Lower back consisting of vertebrae 1–5.

    • First Lumbar Vertebra: First / top lumbar vertebra; located below thoracic.

    • Fifth Lumbar Vertebra: Low / bottom lumbar vertebra; located above sacrum.

  • Intervertebral Disc: Pad located between vertebrae.

  • Sacrum: Large triangle bone located below lumbar spine.

  • Coccyx: Small tailbone located below sacrum.

  • Sacral and Coccygeal Region: Located at the very bottom of the spine.

Upper Extremity: Arm and Hand

  • Humerus: Upper arm bone.

  • Radius: Forearm bone on the thumb side.

  • Ulna: Forearm bone on the pinky side.

  • Carpals: Wrist bones.

  • Metacarpals: Palm bones.

  • Phalanges: Finger bones.

Lower Extremity: Pelvis, Leg, and Foot

  • Ilium: Upper hip bone region.

  • Sacrum: Back pelvis.

  • Femur: Thigh bone.

  • Patella: Kneecap.

  • Tibia: Big shin bone.

  • Fibula: Thin outer leg bone.

  • Tarsals: Ankle bones.

  • Talus: Ankle bone.

  • Metatarsals: Middle foot bones.

  • Phalanges: Toe bones.

Anatomy of a Long Bone

  • Epiphysis: Top and bottom segments of the bone.

  • Diaphysis: Long middle part of the bone.

  • Cartilage: Smooth covering located on the top and bottom ends.

  • Cancellous Bone: Spongy bone inside.

  • Compact Bone: Hard outside layer.