Bio 348: Skeletal System

GLOSSARY OF TERMS: SKELETAL SYSTEM

Term: Definition (with one example):

condyle a rounded process that articulates with another bone

eg. occipital condyle

crest a narrow, ridge-like projection; eg. iliac crest

epicondyle a projection situated above a condyle

eg. medial epicondyle of humerus

facet a small smooth surface

eg. rib facet of a thoracic vertebra

foramen an opening for the passage of b.v. &/or nerves

eg. foramen magnum

fossa a relatively deep pit or depression; eg. olecranon fossa

fovea a tiny pit or depression; eg. fovea capitis

head an enlargement at the end of a bone; eg. femoral head

linea a narrow line-like ridge; eg. linea aspera of femur

meatus a tube-like passageway within a bone

eg. external auditory meatus

process a prominent projection of a bone

eg. mastoid process of temporal bone

ramus a branch-like process; eg. ramus of mandible

sinus a cavity within a bone; eg. frontal sinus

spine a sharp projection; eg. spine of scapula

styloid a pen-like projection; eg. styloid process of ulna

suture interlocking junction between cranial bones; eg. coronal suture

trochanter a relatively large process; eg. greater trochanter of femur

tubercle a small knob-like process; eg. tubercle of rib

tuberosity a knob-like process larger than a tubercle; eg. tibial tuberosity

Bio 348: Skeletal System
Bio 348: Skeletal System

Skeletal System Study Guide

This handout is organized in outline format, such that:

A. Skeletal region
1. Principle component or individual bone, and
features of that component or bone are listed here

Using your textbook and laboratory atlas, start by learning the whole bones first, and
then learn the special features of each bone. Be able to recognize whole bones and
landmarks in A.D.A.M., and on both the articulated and disarticulated skeletons. Be
able to identify bones from the left or right side, anterior and posterior surfaces, etc.

Parenthetical information (P, A, L or M) refer to the view of the ADAM anatomical figure
in which the bone or bony landmark is visible (posterior, anterior, lateral or medial).

Study the x-rays of various bones (in PPT file) and the limited number within ADAM to
become familiar not only with the bones, but also joints, fractures, young and old
bones, sutures, sinuses, etc.

APPENDICULAR SKELETON

A. Pectoral Girdle

1. Clavicle (A)
Acromial extremity (A)
Sternal extremity (A)
Conoid tuberosity

2. Scapula (P, Select scapula & clavicle when in Lateral view)

Acromion process (P)
Coracoid process (P)
Glenoid cavity (L)
Spine (P)
Supraspinous fossa (P)
Infraspinous fossa (P)
Medial border (P)
Lateral border (P)
Subscapular fossa
Bio 348: Skeletal System

B. Upper Appendages (arms)

1. Humerus (funny bone!)

Greater tubercle (A)
Lesser tubercle (A)
Intertubercular groove (A)
Medial epicondyle (A)
Lateral epicondyle (A)
Olecranon fossa
Head (A)
Anatomical neck (A)
Surgical neck (Which of these two necks are more likely
to break? Why?)
Trochlea (A) (articulates with...?)
Capitulum (A) (articulates with...?)
Coronoid fossa (A)
Deltoid tuberosity (Why this name?)

2. Ulna
Olecranon process (P)
Trochlear notch
Coronoid process (A)
Radial notch
Styloid process (A,P)

3. Radius
Radial head (A)
Radial neck (A)
Radial tuberosity (A)
Styloid process (A)
Ulnar notch (A) (at distal end)

4. Carpals (8, = wrist)

5. Metacarpals (1-5, = hand)

6. Phalanges (1-5, = fingers)

Proximal phalanx
Middle phalanx
Distal phalanx
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C. Pelvic Girdle

1. Innominate (Os Coxa)

Ilium (A)
Iliac fossa (A)
Iliac crest (A)
Anterior inferior iliac spine (A)
Anterior superior iliac spine (A)
Posterior inferior iliac spine (P)
Posterior superior iliac spine (P)

Ischium
Ischial tuberosity (P) (on which you sit!)
Ischial spine (P)

Pubis
Pubic crest (A)
Pubic symphysis (A)
Superior pubic ramus (ascending) (A)
Ischiopubic ramus (inferior or descending) (P)

Acetabulum (A)

Obturator foramen (with membrane) (A)

2. Sacrum (A,P)
Median sacral crest (P)
Sacral foramina (A,P)

3. Coccyx (A,P)

D. Lower Appendages (legs)

1. Femur
Femoral head (A)
Greater trochanter (A,P)
Lesser trochanter (P)
Intertrochanteric crest (P)
Femoral neck
Linea aspera (P)
Medial condyle (A)
Lateral condyle (A)
Medial epicondyle (A)
Lateral epicondyle (A)
Fovea capitis

2. Patella (A)
Patellar ligament (A)
Bio 348: Skeletal System

3. Fibula (A,L)
Head of fibula (A)
Lateral malleolus (L)

4. Tibia (A)
Medial condyle (A)
Lateral condyle (A)
Intercondylar eminence (or spine) (A)
Tibial tuberosity (A)
Medial malleolus (A)
Anterior border (or crest) (A)

5. Tarsals (7, = ankle)

6. Metatarsals (1-5, = foot)

7. Phalanges (1-5, = toes)

Proximal phalanx
Middle phalanx
Distal phalanx

AXIAL SKELETON

A. Cranium (Using A.D.A.M., Select Skull in the structure list)

Unpaired bones of the Cranium

1. Occipital (P,L)
External occipital protuberance (P)
Foramen magnum (What structure passes through here?)
Occipital condyles (These articulate with...?)
Superior nuchal line (P)
Inferior nuchal line (P)

2. Frontal (A)
Frontal sinus (M)
Supraorbital margin (A)
Supraorbital foramen (A)

3. Sphenoid (A)
Greater wings (A)
Lesser wings
Sella turcica (Which gland rests here?)
Medial pterygoid processes
Lateral pterygoid processes
4. Ethmoid
Cribriform plate (Significance?)
Perpendicular plate of the Ethmoid (A)
Crista galli
Bio 348: Skeletal System

Ethmoid sinuses (cells)

Middle nasal conchae (A, coronal section, M)
Superior nasal conchae (A, coronal section)

5. Vomer (A)

6. Mandible (A, L, select mandible from structure list)

Mandibular head (condyle) (L) (articulates with...?)
Coronoid process (L)
Mandibular notch (b/w coronoid process and condyle)
Ramus (A,L)
Angle (A,L)
Alveolar process (margin of mandible which holds teeth)
Mental foramen (A)

7. Hyoid (A,M, use Find)

Paired bones of the Cranium

8. Parietal (A,L)

9. Zygomatic (A)
Infraorbital margin (A)

10. Nasal (A)

11. Temporal (A,L)

Squamous portion (A,L)
Zygomatic process (L)
Mastoid process (L)
External acoustic (auditory) meatus (L)
Styloid process
Mandibular fossa

12. Lacrimal (L)

Lacrimal groove (L)

13. Inferior Nasal Conchae (A coronal section, M)

14. Palatine
Horizontal plate

15. Maxilla (A,L,M)

Palatine process (M)
Alveolar process (L)
Sinus
Infraorbital foramen (A)
Anterior nasal spine (A)
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16. Other features of the Skull:

Sutures:
Coronal (frontal)
Lambdoidal
Squamosal
Sagittal

Find the optic foramena & list the bones that make up the orbit.

Fontanels: (in fetus & neonate)

Sphenoid (anterolateral) Mastoid (posterolateral)
Anterior
Posterior

In ADAM, open 3D Anatomy and select the Skull. Zoom in and identify some of the
more difficult to see structures by using the structures list.

B. Vertebral Column
1. Types of vertebrae
Cervical (C1-C7)
Thoracic (T1-T12)
Lumbar (L1-L5)
Sacral (5, fused to form sacrum)
Coccygeal (4, fused to form coccyx)

2. Parts of a typical vertebrae

Vertebral foramen
Transverse processes
Spinous process
Lamina
Body
Pedicle
Superior and Inferior articulating facets
Intervertebral foramina (b/w vertebrae; significance?)

3. Be able to identify by name the first two cervical vertebrae

Atlas (A)
Axis (A)
Dens (odontoid process) (A)

4. Be able to distinguish between the types of vertebrae

Cervical - by the presence of transverse foramina (for?)
Thoracic - by the presence of facets that articulate with
the rib head and rib tubercle
Lumbar - by the absence of the above characteristics, and
by the thickness of the body and processes
Bio 348: Skeletal System

5. Vertebral Curves
Primary (present at birth)
Thoracic
Sacral
Secondary (when do these develop? at different times?)
Cervical
Lumbar

6. Sacrum (A,P)
Median sacral crest (P)
Sacral foramina (A,P)

7. Coccyx (A,P)

C. Thoracic (Rib) Cage

1. Sternum (A)
Manubrium
Body (Gladiolus)
Xiphoid process
Clavicular notch
Jugular notch

2. Ribs (A)
Vertebrosternal (7)
Vertebrochondral (3)
Vertebral (2)
(features:)
costal cartilage
head of rib
tubercle of rib (P)