Osteological Features

Question 1

Head

Answer 1

Usually the proximal, rounded, articular end of a bone.

Question 2

Articular surface

Answer 2

Where 2 bones (or bone and cartilage) meet; articular surfaces are very smooth.

Question 3

Neck

Answer 3

Constriction below a head.

Question 4

Epiphysis

Answer 4

Ends of bone where interstitial growth takes place.

Question 5

Diaphysis

Answer 5

Shaft of a long bone.

Question 6

Suture

Answer 6

Seam, line of union in an immovable articulation (sutura=sewing together).

Question 7

Condyle

Answer 7

(=knuckle) Rounded knob for articulation.

Question 8

Process

Answer 8

Bony prominence.

Question 9

Spine

Answer 9

Pointy process; e.g. vertebral spine.

Question 10

Tubercle

Answer 10

(=small bump) A small, rounded process with a rough surface; e.g. greater tubercle of humerus.

Question 11

Tuberosity

Answer 11

Large, rounded process with a rough surface; e.g. tibial tuberosity.

Question 12

Trochanter

Answer 12

(=runner) Special name for 2 tuberosities of the femur bone.

Question 13

Epicondyle

Answer 13

(=upon knuckle) Process above condyle for attachment of Mm and/or Ligg.

Question 14

Crest

Answer 14

Prominent ridge; e.g. anterior tibial crest.

Question 15

Line

Answer 15

Less prominent ridge, also the Latin is used: linea, e.g. linea aspera of femur.

Question 16

Foramen

Answer 16

(pl. is foramina) (=hole(s)) Hole through a bone; e.g. foramen magnum or vertebral foramina.

Question 17

Fissure

Answer 17

Slit; e.g. orbital fissure.

Question 18

Canal/Tube

Answer 18

Long furrow or tunnel; e.g. auditory canal.

Question 19

Meatus

Answer 19

An outlet/opening; e.g. external auditory meatus; a meatus is the doorway and the hallway is the canal.

Question 20

Sinus

Answer 20

Chamber within a bone, usually filed with air and lined with mucous membrane (i.e. connected to the nasal passage); sinus is also a non-osteological feature, also big fat vein where blood can pool–e.g. coronary sinus of post-atrioventricular sulcus.

Question 21

Fossa

Answer 21

(pl. is fossae) Shallow depression; e.g. iliac fossa.

Question 22

Facet

Answer 22

Small, flat articular surface.

Question 23

Sulcus

Answer 23

(=groove) (pl. is sulci) Groove for a NAV or tendon; e.g. intertubercular sulcus of humerus.

Question 24

Lip

Answer 24

A margin of a sulcus.

Question 25

Trochlea

Answer 25

Pulley-shaped articular surface; e.g. trochlea of humerus.

Question 26

Ramus

Answer 26

Branch of a bone (=branches) (pl. is rami).

Question 27

Trunk

Answer 27

Big fat artery, pulmonary trunk, or celiac trunk; also big fat nerve, lumbosacral trunk of lumbosacral plexus.