Osteological Features Flashcards
Head
Usually the proximal, rounded, articular end of a bone.
Articular surface
Where 2 bones (or bone and cartilage) meet; articular surfaces are very smooth.
Neck
Constriction below a head.
Epiphysis
Ends of bone where interstitial growth takes place.
Diaphysis
Shaft of a long bone.
Suture
Seam, line of union in an immovable articulation (sutura=sewing together).
Condyle
(=knuckle) Rounded knob for articulation.
Process
Bony prominence.
Spine
Pointy process; e.g. vertebral spine.
Tubercle
(=small bump) A small, rounded process with a rough surface; e.g. greater tubercle of humerus.
Tuberosity
Large, rounded process with a rough surface; e.g. tibial tuberosity.
Trochanter
(=runner) Special name for 2 tuberosities of the femur bone.
Epicondyle
(=upon knuckle) Process above condyle for attachment of Mm and/or Ligg.
Crest
Prominent ridge; e.g. anterior tibial crest.
Line
Less prominent ridge, also the Latin is used: linea, e.g. linea aspera of femur.
Foramen
(pl. is foramina) (=hole(s)) Hole through a bone; e.g. foramen magnum or vertebral foramina.
Fissure
Slit; e.g. orbital fissure.
Canal/Tube
Long furrow or tunnel; e.g. auditory canal.
Meatus
An outlet/opening; e.g. external auditory meatus; a meatus is the doorway and the hallway is the canal.
Sinus
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.
Fossa
(pl. is fossae) Shallow depression; e.g. iliac fossa.
Facet
Small, flat articular surface.
Sulcus
(=groove) (pl. is sulci) Groove for a NAV or tendon; e.g. intertubercular sulcus of humerus.
Lip
A margin of a sulcus.
Trochlea
Pulley-shaped articular surface; e.g. trochlea of humerus.
Ramus
Branch of a bone (=branches) (pl. is rami).
Trunk
Big fat artery, pulmonary trunk, or celiac trunk; also big fat nerve, lumbosacral trunk of lumbosacral plexus.
