Bone Terminology

Question 1

sites allowing the passage of soft tissues (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons) or formation of joints

Answer 1

depressions and openings

Question 2

5 types of depressions and openings

Answer 2

fissure, foramen, fossa, suculus, meatus

Question 3

projections or outgrowths on bone that form joints or attachment points for connective tissue, such as ligaments and tendons

Answer 3

processes

Question 4

3 types of processes that form joints

Answer 4

condyle, facet, head

Question 5

7 types of processes that form attachment points for connective tissue

Answer 5

crest, epicondyle, line, spinous process, trochanter, tubercle, tuberosity

Question 6

narrow slit between adjacent parts of bones through which blood vessels or nerves pass

Answer 6

fissure

Question 7

opening through which blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments pass

Answer 7

foramen

Question 8

shallow depression

Answer 8

fossa

Question 9

furrow along a bone surface that accommodates a blood vessel, nerve, or tendon

Answer 9

suculus

Question 10

tubelike opening

Answer 10

meatus

Question 11

large, round protuberance with a smooth articular surface at the end of a bone

Answer 11

condyle

Question 12

smooth, flat, slightly concave or convex articular surface

Answer 12

facet

Question 13

usually rounded articular projection supported on the neck (constricted portion) of a bone

Answer 13

head

Question 14

prominent ridge or elongated projection

Answer 14

crest

Question 15

typically roughened projection above a condyle

Answer 15

epicondyle

Question 16

long, narrow ridge or border (less prominent that a crest)

Answer 16

line

Question 17

sharp, slender projection

Answer 17

spinous process

Question 18

very large projection

Answer 18

trochanter

Question 19

variable sized rounded projection

Answer 19

tubercle

Question 20

variable sized projection that has a rough, bumpy surface

Answer 20

tuberosity