Appendicular Skeleton Flashcards
Clavicle
Junction of neck and anterior thorax (S-shaped bone).
Acromial end (clavicle)
Flattened lateral end that articulates with medial aspect of acromion via acromioclavicular joint
Sternal end (clavicle)
Location:
• Clavicle (medial end)
Description:
• Enlarged, medial end
• Projects above manubrium of sternum to deepen jugular notch
• Has smooth, articular surface
Scapula
Location:
• Posterior thorax
• Overlies ribs 2-7
Description:
• Large, triangular, flat bone
• Characteristic features include spine, acromion, coracoid process, and glenoid cavity
Spine (scapula)
Location:
• Scapula
Description:
• Prominent ridge on posterior surface of scapula
Comment:
• Provides attachment for trapezius and deltoid muscles
Acromion (scapula)
Location:
• Scapula
Description:
• Flattened, lateral part of scapular spine
Comment:
• Articulates with clavicle
• Subcutaneous superior point of shoulder (easily palpated)
• Provides attachment for trapezius and deltoid muscles
• Landmark for intramuscular injections
Glenoid cavity/fossa (scapula)
Location:
• Scapula
Description:
• Shallow depression at superior end of lateral border
Comment:
• Articulates with head of humerus to form glenohumeral (shoulder) joint
• Made “deeper” by rim of fibrocartilage (labrum)
Coracoid process (clavicle)
Location:
• Scapula (anterior)
Description:
• Prominent protuberance inferior to acromion of scapula
Comment:
• Provides attachment for pectoralis minor, coracobrachialis, and short head of biceps brachii muscles
Lateral border (clavicle)
Location:
• Scapula
• Between inferior angle and glenoid cavity
Description:
• Border of scapula inferior to glenoid cavity
• Superior end has infraglenoid tubercle
Medial border (clavicle)
Location:
• Scapula
Description:
• Border of scapula parallel to vertebral column
Also known as:
• Vertebral border of scapula
Comment:
• Provides attachment for levator scapulae, rhomboid major and rhomboid minor, and serratus anterior muscle
Humerus
Location:
• Arm
Description:
• Long bone
• Characteristic features include head, neck, greater and lesser tubercles, shaft, medial and lateral epicondyles, capitulum, and trochlea
Comment:
• Largest bone of upper limb
Head (humerus)
Location:
• Humerus (proximal)
Description:
• Rounded articular surface
• Continuous with anatomical neck
Comment:
• Articulates with glenoid cavity of scapula to form glenohumeral (shoulder) joint
Deltoid tuberosity (humerus)
Location:
• Humerus (shaft)
Description:
• Roughened area near mid-shaft on anterolateral surface
Comment:
• For attachment of deltoid muscle
Medial epicondyle (humerus)
Location:
• Humerus (distal)
Description:
• Medial subcutaneous projection near elbow
Comment:
• Provides attachment for hand flexor muscles
• Ulnar nerve subcutaneous on posterior aspect (“funny bone”
Lateral epicondyle (humerus)
Location:
• Humerus (distal)
Description:
• Small lateral projection near elbow
Comment:
• Provides attachment for hand extensor muscles
Trochlea (humerus)
Location:
• Humerus (distal)
Description:
• Grooved surface medial to capitulum
Comment:
• Articulates with trochlear notch of ulna
• Contributes to elbow joint
Capitulum (humerus)
Location:
• Humerus (distal)
Description:
• Dome-shaped surface lateral to trochlea
Comment:
• Articulates with head of radius
• Contributes to elbow joint
Ulna
Location:
• Forearm (medial) Ariculates with pinky!
LOOKS LIKE ICECREAM SCOOP
Description:
• Long, thin bone
• Articulates proximally with trochlea of humerus and radius
• Articulates distally with radius and carpal bones (lunate and triquetrum)
• Characteristic features include olecranon, trochlear notch, tuberosity, shaft, and styloid process
Comment:
• Fibrocartilage separates distal end from carpal bones
Trochlear notch (ulna)
Location:
• Ulna (proximal, anterior aspect)
• Between olecranon and coronoid process
Description:
• Prominent notch
• Has smooth articular surface
Function:
• Provides articulation with trochlea of humerus
Radial notch (ulna)
Holds ulna
Smaller notch right below trochlear notch
Where radius attaches
Head (ulna)
Adjacent to styloid process of ulna. Distal to trochlear notch.
Styloid process (ulna)
Location:
• Ulna (distal)
Description:
• Pointed distal projection
Radius
Articulates with capitulum of humerus. Also articules with the thumb (lateral)
Head (radius)
Location:
• Radius (proximal)
Description:
• Disk-shaped, with concave superior surface
• Articulates with capitulum of humerus and radial notch of ulna
Styloid process (radius)
Location:
• Radius (distal)
Description:
• Pointed distal projection
Comment:
• Provides for attachment of brachioradialis muscle
Hand
Consists of 8 carpal bones, metacarpals and phalanges
Carpals
Location:
• Hand
Description:
• Eight, small, irregular-shaped bones
• Form the wrist
Comment:
• Arranged in two rows of four
• Proximal row (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform) articulates with radius and ulna
• Distal row (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate) articulates with metacarpals
• Hand comprises wrist, palm, dorsum, and fingers
Scaphoid (carpal)
Location:
• Wrist
Description:
• “Boat-shaped” carpal bone
• Articulates with radius, trapezium, trapezoid, and capitate
Lunate (carpal)
Location:
• Wrist
Description:
• Crescent-shaped carpal bone
• Articulates with radius, hamate, capitate, triquetrum, and scaphoid
Triquetrum (carpal)
Location:
• Wrist
Description:
• Pyramidal carpal bone
• Articulates with lunate, hamate, and pisiform
Comment:
• Provides attachment for extensor retinaculum
• Carpal bones arranged in two transverse rows: proximal bones (lateral to medial) are scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform; distal row (lateral to medial) are trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate
• Latin: triquetrus = three-cornered (describes shape)
Pisiform (carpal)
Location:
• Wrist
Description:
• Pea-shaped carpal bone
• Articulates with triquetrum
Comment:
• Embedded in tendon (sesamoid bone) of flexor carpi ulnaris muscle
• Provides attachment for flexor and extensor retinacula, and flexor carpi ulnaris and abductor digiti minimi muscles
• Carpal bones arranged in two transverse rows: proximal bones (lateral to medial) are scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform; distal row (lateral to medial) are trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate
• Latin: pisum = pea (describes shape)
Trapezium (carpal)
Location:
• Wrist
Description:
• Irregular-shaped carpal bone
• Articulates with trapezoid, scaphoid, and metacarpals I-II
Comment:
• Provides attachment for flexor retinaculum
• Carpal bones arranged in two transverse rows: proximal bones (lateral to medial) are scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform; distal row (lateral to medial) are trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate
Trapezoid (carpal)
Location:
• Wrist (smallest carpal)
Description:
• Four-sided carpal bone
• Articulates with trapezium, scaphoid, capitate, and metacarpal II
Comment:
• Carpal bones arranged in two transverse rows: proximal bones (lateral to medial) are scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform; distal row (lateral to medial) are trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate
Capitate (carpal)
Location:
• Wrist
Description:
• Largest carpal bone
• Proximal surface has prominent head
• Articulates with scaphoid, lunate, trapezoid, hamate, and metacarpals III and IV
Comment:
• Latin: capitate = head
• Carpal bones arranged in two transverse rows: proximal bones (lateral to medial) are scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform; distal row (lateral to medial) are trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate
Hamate (carpal)
Location:
• Hand
Description:
• Wedge-shaped carpal bone of wrist
• Process (hamulus) projects from palmar surface
• Articulates with triquetrum, capitate, and metacarpals IV-V
Comment:
• Hamulus provides attachment for flexor retinaculum of hand
• Carpal bones arranged in two transverse rows: proximal bones (lateral to medial) are scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform; distal row (lateral to medial) are trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate
• Latin: hamatus = hooked (describes shape)
Metacarpals
Location:
• Hand
Description:
• Five small, long bones between carpal (wrist) bones and phalanges (fingers)
• Designated by Roman numeral (I-V) from lateral (thumb) to medial (little finger)
• Characteristic features are base (proximal), shaft, and head (distal)
Comment:
• Knuckles formed by heads of metacarpals
Phalanges of the Hand
Location:
• Hand (fingers)
Description:
• Small bones of fingers
• Medial four fingers have three phalanges each (proximal, middle, and distal)
• Thumb has two phalanges (proximal and distal)
Comment:
• Singular of phalanges is phalanx
Proximal phalanx (phalanges)
Location:
• Finger
• Medial four fingers: between middle phalanx and metacarpal
• Thumb: between distal phalanx and metacarpal I
Description:
• Small bone at base of fingers
Comment:
• Medial four fingers each have three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal)
• Thumb has two phalanges (proximal and distal)
• Plural of phalanx is phalanges
Middle phalanx (phalanges)
Location:
• Finger
• Medial four fingers: between proximal and distal phalanges
Description:
• Small bone in fingers
Comment:
• Medial four fingers each have three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal)
• Thumb has two phalanges (proximal and distal)
• Plural of phalanx is phalanges
Distal phalanx (phalanges)
Location:
• Fingers
• Medial four fingers: distal to middle phalanx
• Thumb: distal to proximal phalanx
Description:
• Small bone at tip of finger
• Covered by nail on dorsal surface
Comment:
• Medial four fingers each have three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal)
• Thumb has two phalanges (proximal and distal)
• Plural of phalanx is phalanges
Os Coxa
hips
Acetabulum (os coxa)
Location:
• Hip bone (lateral aspect)
Description:
• Hemispherical cavity
• Margin of cavity deficient inferiorly (acetabular notch)
• Articular surface (for head of femur) has lunate shape
• Central floor (acetabular fossa) is non-articular
Function:
• Provides articulation with head of femur
Comment:
• All three bones that form hip bone (ilium, ischium, and pubis) contribute to acetabulum
Greater sciatic notch (os coxa)
Location :
• Ilium
• Ischium
Description:
• Wide, deep indentation
• Separates posterior inferior iliac spine from ischial spine
• Upper border and deep part of lower border belong to ilium
• Lower border, nearest ischial spine, belongs to ischium
Comment::
• Converted to a foramen (greater sciatic foramen) by sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments
• Grater sciatic foramen is major conduit for structures exiting pelvis to enter perineum and lower limb
• Structures passing through greater sciatic foramen include sciatic nerve, pudendal nerve and internal pudendal vessels, superior and inferior gluteal nerves and vessels, posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh, and piriformis muscle
Ilium (os coxa)
Location:
• Pelvis
Description:
• Largest of three coxal (hip) bones
• Has large, wing-like superior extension (ala); the alae form bony walls of greater (false) pelvis
• Contributes to acetabulum (hip joint socket) and wall of lesser (true) pelvis
• Articulates with sacrum at sacroiliac joint
Comment:
• Fused with ischium and pubis in adult to form coxal (hip) bone
• Bony pelvis formed by paired hip bones and sacrum
Iliac crest (os coxa)
Location:
• Ilium
Description:
• Prominent ridge on superior margin
Comment:
• Provides attachment for muscles of back, thigh, and abdominal wall
• Landmark for intramuscular injections
Ischium (os coxa)
Location:
• Pelvis
Description:
• One of three coxal (hip) bones
• Characteristic features include tuberosity and spine
• Contributes to acetabulum (hip joint socket), obturator foramen, and wall of lesser (true) pelvis
Comment:
• Fused with ilium and pubis in adult to form coxal (hip) bone
• Bony pelvis formed by paired hip bones and sacrum
• Obturator foramen formed by rami of pubis and ischium
Pubis (os coxa)
Location:
• Pelvis
Description:
• One of three coxal (hip) bones
• Characteristic features include body and rami (superior and inferior)
• Midline junction of pubic bones forms pubic symphysis
• Contributes to acetabulum (hip joint socket), obturator foramen, and wall of lesser (true) pelvis
Comment:
• Fused with ilium and ischium in adult to form coxal (hip) bone
• Bony pelvis formed by paired hip bones and sacrum
• Obturator foramen formed by rami of pubis and ischium
Pubic crest (os coxa)
Location:
• Pubis (body)
Description:
• Rounded, upper border of body
• Ends laterally as pubic tubercle
Pubic symphysis (os coxa)
Location:
• Pelvis (anterior midline)
Description:
• Joint formed by two pubic bones and intervening fibrocartilage disc
Comment:
• In female, fibrocartilage softens in late pregnancy to allow slight separation of pubic bones
Obturator foramen (os coxa)
Location:
• Hip bone
Description:
• Large foramen bordered by pubis and ischium
• Anterior and inferior to acetabulum
Comment:
• Closed by obturator membrane, except along superior border
• Oval in males; triangular in females
Femur
Location:
• Thigh
Description:
• Long bone
• Characteristic features include head, neck, shaft, greater and lesser trochanters, linea aspera, and medial and lateral condyles
• Head forms part of hip joint
• Distal end forms part of knee joint
Comment:
• Only bone of thigh
• Longest bone in body; length accurately predicts height of individual
Head (femur)
Location:
• Femur (proximal)
Description:
• Smooth, spherical shape
• Contains fovea for ligament of head of femur (also known as fovea capitis)
• Continuous with neck of femur
Comment:
• Articulates with acetabulum of hip bone to form hip joint
Patellar surface (femur)
Location:
• Femur (distal)
• On lateral and medial condyles of femur
Description:
• Articular surface for patella
• Separated from tibial articular surface by faint transverse groove on each condyle
Comment:
• Patellar surface extends higher on lateral condyle
Lateral condyle (femur)
Location:
• Femur (distal)
Description:
• Lateral enlargement of distal end
• Smooth surface articulates with tibia and patella
Comment:
• Provides attachment for lateral head of gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles, and fibular collateral ligament of knee
• Latin: condyle = knuckle
Medial condyle (femur)
Location:
• Femur (distal)
Description:
• Medial enlargement of distal end
• Smooth surface articulates with tibia and patella
Comment:
• Provides attachment for medial head of gastrocnemius and adductor magnus muscles, and tibial collateral ligament of knee
• Latin: condyle = knuckle
Greater trochanter (femur)
Location:
• Femur (proximal)
Description:
• Large, quadrangular projection at junction of neck with shaft
Comment:
• Provides attachment for many muscles of gluteal region (exception: gluteus maximus)
Lesser trochanter (femur)
Location:
• Femur (proximal)
Description:
• Pyramidal process on medial shaft
Comment:
• Provides attachment for a single muscle - iliopsoas
Patella
Location:
• Knee (anterior)
• Within tendon of quadriceps femoris muscle
Description:
• Triangular sesamoid bone
• Apex of bone directed distally
• Posterior surface has two articular facets for femoral condyles
• Together with femur and tibia, forms knee joint
Also known as:
• “Kneecap”
Comment:
• Acts as fulcrum to increase angle of quadriceps femoris tendon across knee
Tibia
Location:
• Leg (medial)
Description:
• Long bone between knee and ankle joints
• Characteristic features include medial and lateral condyles, medial and lateral plateaus, tuberosity, shaft, and medial malleolus
• Contributes to knee and ankle joints
Also known as:
• “Shin” bone
Comment:
• Anterior shaft is subcutaneous
Lateral condyle (tibia)
Location:
• Tibia (proximal)
Description:
• Lateral enlargement of proximal end
• Has surfaces for articulation with lateral condyle of femur and with fibula
• Provides attachment point for iliotibial tract
Comment:
• Lateral condyle of tibia more prominent than medial
• Latin: condyle = knuckle
Medial condyle (tibia)
Location:
• Tibia (proximal)
Description:
• Medial enlargement of proximal end
• Has surface for articulation with medial condyle of femur
Function:
• Provides attachment for semimembranosus muscle and tibial (medial) collateral ligament
Comment:
• Lateral condyle of tibia more prominent than medial
• Latin: condyle = knuckle
Tibial tuberosity (tibia)
Location:
• Tibia (anterior)
Description:
• Bony elevation on proximal shaft
Comment:
• Provides attachment for quadriceps femoris muscles, via patellar ligament
Medial malleolus (tibia)
Location:
• Tibia (distal)
Description:
• Rounded, subcutaneous projection
• Contributes to ankle joint
Fibula
Location:
• Leg (lateral)
Description:
• Long, thin bone
• Articulates with tibia (proximal) and talus (distal)
• Characteristic features include head, neck, shaft, and lateral malleolus
Head (fibula)
Location:
• Fibula (proximal)
Description:
• Rounded subcutaneous projection
• Articulates with lateral condyle of tibia
Comment:
• Provides attachment for fibular (lateral) collateral ligament of knee and biceps femoris muscle
Lateral malleolus (fibula)
Location:
• Fibula (distal)
Description:
• Rounded, subcutaneous projection
• Contributes to ankle joint
Foot
Includes tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges of the foot
Tarsals (foot)
Location:
• Foot
Description:
• Seven irregular-shaped bones
Comment:
• Includes talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiform bones
Talus (tarsals)
Location:
• Foot
Description:
• Irregular-shaped tarsal bone
• Three distinct articular surfaces for articulation with tibia/fibula (ankle), navicular, and calcaneus
Comment:
• Forms connecting link (ankle joint) between foot and leg
• Plantar flexion and dorsiflexion occur at ankle joint
• Inversion and eversion occur at joint between talus and calcaneus (subtalar joint)
• Important in maintaining arches of foot
Calcaneus (tarsals)
Location:
• Foot (posterior)
Description:
• Most posterior tarsal bone
• Largest tarsal bone
• Irregular shape
• Articulates with talus and cuboid bone
Navicular (tarsals)
Location:
• Foot
Description:
• Irregular-shaped tarsal bone
• Concave proximal surface articulates with talus
• Convex distal surface articulates with cuneiform bones
• Prominent tuberosity on medial side
Comment:
• Tuberosity provides attachment for tibialis posterior muscle
• Latin: navicula = boat (describes shape)
Medial cuneiform (tarsals)
Location:
• Foot
Description:
• Wedge-shaped tarsal bone
• Articulates with intermediate cuneiform, navicular, and metatarsals I and II
Intermediate cuneiform (tarsals)
Intermediate cuneiform
Location:
• Foot
Description:
• Wedge-shaped tarsal bone
• Articulates with lateral cuneiform, medial cuneiform, navicular, and metatarsal II
Lateral cuneiform (tarsals)
Location:
• Foot
Description:
• Wedge-shaped tarsal bone
• Articulates with cuboid, intermediate cuneiform, navicular, and metatarsal III
Cuboid (tarsals)
Location:
• Foot
Description:
• Cube-shaped tarsal bone between calcaneus and metatarsals IV and V
• Plantar surface has oblique groove for tendon of fibularis longus
Metatarsals
Location:
• Foot
Description:
• Five small, long bones between tarsal bones to phalanges
• Designated by roman numeral (I-V) from medial (great toe) to lateral (little toe)
• Characteristic features are base (proximal), shaft, and head (distal)
Comment:
• Heads are surface contact points on plantar foot
• Head of metatarsal I also known as “ball of the foot”
Phalanges of the foot
Location:
• Foot (toes)
Description:
• Small bones of toes
• Lateral four toes (2-4) have three phalanges each (proximal, middle, and distal)
• Great toe has two phalanges (proximal and distal)
Comment:
• Singular of phalanges is phalanx
Proximal phalanx (foot)
Location:
• Toes
• Distal to metatarsals
Description:
• Small bone at base of toes
Comment:
• Lateral four toes have three phalanges each (proximal, middle, and distal)
• Great toe has two phalanges (proximal and distal)
• Pleural of phalanx is phalanges
Middle phalanx (foot)
Location:
• Toes
• Between promixal and distal phalanx in lateral four toes
Description:
• Small bone in toes
Comment:
• Lateral four toes have three phalanges each (proximal, middle, and distal)
• Great toe has two phalanges (proximal and distal)
• Pleural of phalanx is phalanges
Distal phalanx (foot)
Location:
• Toes
• Distal to middle phalanx in lateral four toes
• Distal to proximal phalanx in great toe (digit I)
Description:
• Small bone at tip of toes
• Covered by nail on dorsal surface
Comment:
• Lateral four toes have three phalanges each (proximal, middle, and distal)
• Great toe has two phalanges (proximal and distal)
• Pleural of phalanx is phalanges
Acromioclavicular joint
Location:
• Shoulder (superior lateral aspect)
• Between lateral (acromial) end of clavicle and acromion of scapula
Description:
• Synovial joint
• May contain an articular disc
Also known as:
• “AC” joint
Comment:
• Dislocation of AC joint sometimes known as “shoulder separation”
Glenohumeral joint
Articulation between the glenoid fossa of the scapula and the head of the humerus
Humeroradial joint
The humeroradial joint is the joint between the head of the radius and the capitulum of the humerus, is a limited ball-and-socket joint, hinge type of synovial joint.
Humeroulnar joint
It composed of two bones, the humerus and ulna, and is the junction between the trochlear notch of ulna and the trochlea of humerus.
Proximal radioulnar joint
Synovial trochoid or pivot joint between the circumference of thehead of the radius and the ring formed by the radial notch of the ulna and the annular ligament.
Distal radioulnar joint
The distal radioulnar articulation pivot-joint formed between the head of ulna and the ulnar notch on the lower extremity of radius.
Radiocarpal joint
The radiocarpal joint is formed by the radius, radioulnar disk, and 3 bones in the proximal carpal row: the scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum.
Intercarpal joint
The intercarpal joints are the articulations between the individual carpal bones.
Carpometacarpal joint
The carpometacarpal (CMC) joints are five joints in the wrist that articulate the distal row of carpal bones and the proximal bases of the five metacarpal bones.
Metacarpophalangeal joints
The metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) refer to the joints between the metacarpal bones and the phalanges of the fingers.
Interphalangeal joints
Joints between the phalanges
Sacroiliac joint
the joint in the bony pelvis between the sacrum and the ilium of the pelvis
Pubic symphysis joint
The pubic symphysis is a midline or secondary cartilaginous joint located between the left and right pubic bones of the median plane.
Hip (coxal) joint
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket synovial joint formed between the os coxa (hip bone) and the femur.
Tibiofemoral joint
Articulation of the femur and tibia.
Knee (femoropatellar) joint
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the femur and tibia, and one between the femur and patella.
Tibiofibular joint
A tibiofibular joint is one of the two connections between the two bones in the lower leg.
Tibiotalar joint
The ankle (tibiotalar joint). The ankle is where the shinbone (tibia) rests on the uppermost bone of the foot (the talus).
Intertarsal joint
The intertarsal articulations are the joints of the tarsal bones in the foot. There are seven specific intertarsal articulations in the human foot
Tarsometatarsal joints
Joints between tarsals and metatarsal regions
Intermetatarsal joints
Joints between metatarsals
Metatarsophalangeal joints
The metatarsophalangeal articulations are the joints between the metatarsal bones of the foot and the proximal bones (proximal phalanges) of the toes.
Interphalangeal joints (foot)
The interphalangeal articulations of the foot are the joints between the phalanges (bones) of the toes.
