Bones
Terminology and basics:
Several terms are used to refer to features and components of bones:
process |
A relatively large projection or prominent bump. |
articulation |
The region where adjacent bones contact each other—a joint. |
articular process |
A projection that contacts an adjacent bone. |
eminence |
A relatively small projection or bump. |
tuberosity |
A projection or bump with a roughened surface. |
tubercle |
A projection or bump with a roughened surface, generally smaller than a tuberosity. |
trochanter |
One of two specific tuberosities located on the femur. |
spine |
A relatively long, thin projection or bump. |
suture |
Articulation between cranial bones. |
malleolus |
One of two specific protuberances of bones in the ankle. |
condyle |
A large, rounded articular process. |
epicondyle |
A projection near to a condyle but not part of the joint. |
line, ridge |
A long, thin projection, often with a rough surface. |
crest |
A prominent ridge. |
facet |
A small, smooth articular surface. |
foramen |
An opening through a bone. |
fossa |
A broad, shallow depressed area. |
canal |
A long, tunnel-like foramen, usually a passage for notable nerves or blood vessels. |
meatus |
A short canal. |
sinus |
A cavity within a cranial bone. |
Several terms are used to refer to specific features of long bones:
diaphysis, shaft |
The long, relatively straight main body of the bone; region of primary ossification. |
epiphyses |
The end regions of the bone; regions of secondary ossification. |
epiphyseal plate |
The thin sheet of bone marking the fusion of epiphyses to the diaphysis (adults only). |
head |
The proximal articular end of the bone. |
neck |
The region of bone between the head and the shaft. |
Several terms are used to describe the orientation of bones with respect to axes of the body, generally those anatomical terms of location, especially:
medial |
The side of the bone toward the centre line of the body. |
lateral |
The side of the bone towards the outside line of the body. |
proximal |
The side or location of a bone toward the top of the skull. |
distal |
The side or location of a bone toward the bottom of the feet. |
n the skull (22):
In the middle ears (6):
In the throat (1):
In the shoulder girdle (4):
In the thorax (25):
In the vertebral column (24):
In the arms (6):
In the hands (54):
In the pelvis (4):
In the legs (8):
In the feet (52):
The infant skeleton has the following bones in addition to those above:
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