Appendicular Skeleton Flashcards
What does the term ‘girdle’ refer to?
The encircling of the body – a ring around the torso.
How does the pelvic girdle differ from the pectoral girdle?
The pelvic girdle is designed for stability at the expense of mobility, while the pectoral girdle provides mobility at the expense of stability.
What are the two bones that make up the pectoral girdle?
- Clavicle
- Scapula
What is the only bony point of attachment of the shoulder girdle to the axial skeleton?
The sternoclavicular joint.
What is the anatomical position of the radius and ulna?
Palms facing forwards, with the radius located more laterally and the ulna located more medially.
What is the primary function of the clavicle?
Acts as a brace to hold the scapulae and prevent the shoulder from collapsing forwards.
What is the shape and location of the scapula?
A triangular shaped bone that lies flat on the dorsal surface of the rib cage.
What are the three borders of the scapula?
- Superior
- Lateral
- Medial
What is the function of the coracoid process?
Attachment point for one of the tendons of the biceps brachii.
What does the glenoid cavity articulate with?
The arm.
What is the olecranon process commonly known as?
The ‘funny bone’.
What condition arises from overusing the wrist flexors?
Medial epicondylitis, or ‘golfer’s elbow’.
Fill in the blank: The radius is ______ proximally and wider distally.
[thin]
What are the two prominent features of the ulna?
- Olecranon process
- Styloid process
What are the bones of the forearm?
- Radius
- Ulna
What structure connects the radius and ulna?
The interosseous membrane.
What movements do radial rotation allow in the forearm?
- Pronation
- Supination
What articulates to form the wrist joint?
The radius and the eight carpal bones.
What are the metacarpals?
The bones in the palm that articulate with the carpals and phalanges.
How many phalanges are there in each finger?
Three (proximal, middle, and distal) and two in the thumb (proximal and distal).
What joints create the knuckles in the fingers?
The joints between the phalanges.
What is the composition of the pectoral girdle?
- Scapula
- Clavicle
What does the humerus articulate with?
- Scapula at the shoulder joint
- Radius and ulna at the elbow joint
What are the two ends of the clavicle?
- Sternal end
- Acromial end
What is the significance of the deltoid tuberosity?
It is where the deltoid muscle attaches.
True or False: The scapula has a bony attachment to the thoracic vertebrae.
False.
What is the main function of the rotator cuff muscles?
Help to stabilize the humerus in its socket.
