4.2: Anatomy of the Skeleton- Appendicular Skeleton

Question 1

appendicular skeleton

Answer 1

consists of the bones within the pectoral and pelvic girdles and the attached limbs

Question 2

pectoral girdle

Answer 2

• also known as the shoulder girdle
• specialized for flexibility and increased range of motion
• composed of two clavicles and two scapulae
• each clavicle (collarbone) connects with the sternum anteriorly and the scapula posteriorly

Question 3

scapula

Answer 3

(shoulder blade)
- freely movable
- held in place only by muscles and ligaments
- attachment of the scapula allows it to follow the many movements of the arm

Question 4

posterior side of the scapula

Answer 4

• supraspinatus fossa
• infraspinatus fossa
• scapular spine

Question 5

acromion process

Answer 5

• projects from the scapular spine
• can be seen from both the posterior and anterior views
• connects to the clavicle anteriorly

Question 6

neck of the scapula

Answer 6

on the lateral side contains the glenoid cavity

Question 7

glenoid cavity

Answer 7

• where the head of the humerus articulates with the scapula
• very shallow and much smaller than the head of the humerus

Question 8

anterior side of the scapula

Answer 8

contains the subscapular fossa

Question 9

coracoid process

Answer 9

• projects anteriorly from the scapula
• allowing for muscular attachment

Question 10

humerus

Answer 10

• single long bone in the upper arm
• comprised of the head, neck, shaft, capitulum, and trochlea
• has a smoothly rounded head that fits into a socket of the scapula at the glenoid cavity
• needs to be held to the shallow glenoid cavity by the rotator cuff muscles and other ligaments

Question 11

Dislocation

Answer 11

• of a joint means that the bone is removed from its socket
• Dislocation of the shoulder occurs when the head of the humerus is removed from the glenoid cavity in any direction

Question 12

capitulum

Answer 12

articulates with a small portion of the radius

Question 13

trochlea

Answer 13

articulates with the ulna

Question 14

medial epicondyle

(of the humerus)

Answer 14

can be palpated on the medial side of the arm at the elbow

Question 15

lateral epicondyle

(of the humerus)

Answer 15

can be palpated on the lateral side of the arm at the elbow

Question 16

olecranon process of the ulna

Answer 16

is the prominent bone that can be palpated in the elbow posteriorly

Question 17

ulna and radius

Answer 17

distal end of the humerus meets the two bones of the lower arm at the elbow

Question 18

wrist

Answer 18

• has eight carpal bones
• look like small pebbles
• increase flexibility of the hand

Question 19

carpal bones

promixal row from lateral to medial

Answer 19

• scaphoid
• lunate
• triquetral
• pisiform

Question 20

carpal bones

distal row from lateral to medial

Answer 20

• trapezium
• trapezoid
• capitate
• hamate

Question 21

metacarpal bones

Answer 21

five fan out to form a framework for the palm

Question 22

phalanges

Answer 22

• Beyond the metacarpals
• the bones of the fingers and the thumb
• long, slender, and lightweight
• thumb, or first digit, is composed of two phalanges
• all other digits have three

Question 23

pelvic girdle

Answer 23

• consists of two heavy coxal bones
• specialized for strength

Question 24

coxal bones

Answer 24

• also called ossa coxae or innominate bones
• anchored to the sacrum posteriorly via a network of ligaments
• form a hollow cavity
• symmetrical and formed by the fusion of three bones: the ilium, ischium, and pubis

Question 25

ilium

Answer 25

most superior of the sections and can be palpated on the lateral sides of the hips

Question 26

ischium

Answer 26

• located posteriorly
• also known as the “sits” bones as these are the bony landmarks that can be felt when sitting upright in a chair

Question 27

pubis

Answer 27

• forms the center anteriorly
• connected by the pubic symphysis

Question 28

ASIS

Answer 28

anterior superior iliac spine
- located on the anterior portion of the ilium

Question 29

AIIS

Answer 29

anterior inferior iliac spine
- located on the anterior portion of the ilium

Question 30

differences in the male and female pelvic girdles

Answer 30

• pubic arch is wider in females than in males
• pubic brim, also known as the pelvic outlet is shaped more like a circle in males and an oval in females
• accommodate childbearing.

Question 31

femur

Answer 31

largest, longest single bone in the body

Question 32

hip joint

Answer 32

head of the femur articulates with the pelvic girdle at the acetabulum

Question 33

patella

Answer 33

• sits anteriorly to the femur, formed within the quadriceps femoris tendon

Question 34

tibia

Answer 34

(medial) lower leg bone
- has a ridge that can be easily palpated anteriorly
- larger of the two bones in the lower leg
- have a prominence that contributes to the ankle, the medial malleolus of the tibia on the medial side of the ankle

Question 35

fibula

Answer 35

(lateral) lower leg bone
- smaller of the two bones in the lower leg
- have a prominence that contributes to the ankle, the lateral malleolus of the fibula on the lateral side of the ankle

Question 36

tarsal

Answer 36

seven bones that make up the ankle:
- medial cuneiform
- intermediate
- cuneiform
- lateral cuneiform
- navicular
- cuboid
- talus
- calcaneus

Question 37

metatarsal

Answer 37

Five bones span the distance between the ankle and toes
- longitudinal arches from the heel to the toes
- transverse arch across the foot
- provide a stable, springy base for the body

Question 38

Flat feet

Answer 38

a condition that is likely to occur if the tissues binding the metatarsals together become weakened

Question 39

hallux

Answer 39

• great toe
• first metatarsal only has a distal and proximal phalanx

Question 40

phalange

Answer 40

• bones of the toes
• first metatarsal only has a distal and proximal phalanx
• metatarsals 2-5 all have a distal, middle, and proximal phalanx