Anatomy and Physiology I

Instructor M. Holman

Bone Surface Markings

MARKING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
Depressions and Openings: sites allowing passage of soft tissue (nerves, blood vessels,
ligaments, tendons) or formation of joints
Fissure Narrow slit or groove between adjacent parts Superior orbital fissure of
of bone through which blood vessels, nerves the sphenoid bone
or ligaments pass
Foramen Opening (hole) through which blood vessels, Foramen magnum
nerves or ligaments pass
Fossa Shallow depression Coranoid fossa of humerus
Sulcus Furrow or groove along a bone surface that Intertubercular sulcus of the
accommodates a blood vessel, nerve or humerus
tendon
Meatus Tube-like opening (passageway) Ext. auditory meatus of
temporal bone

Processes: Projections or outgrowths on bone that form joints or are attachment points for
connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons.

Processes that form joints

Condyle Large, round protuberance at the end of a Lateral condyle of the femur
bone
Facet Smooth, flat articular surface Superior facet of a vertebra
Head Rounded articular projection supported on Head of the femur
the neck (constricted portion) of a bone

Processes that form attachment points for connective tissue

Crest Prominent ridge or elongated projection Iliac crest of the hip bone
Epicondyle Projection above a condyle Medial epicondyle of the
femur
Linea or line Long narrow ridge or border (less prominent Linea aspera of the femur
than a crest)
Spinous process Sharp, slender projection Spinous process of a
vertebra
Styloid Slender pointed process Styloid process of temporal
bone, radius & ulna
Trochanter Very large projection Greater trochanter of the
femur
Tubercle Small rounded knob-like projection Greater tubercle of the
humerus
Tuberosity Large, rounded usually roughened projection Ischial tuberosity of the hip
bone

Misc Terms
Suture An immovable fibrous joint between skull
bones
Sinus A cavity or space within a bone
Fontanel A membrane covered spot where bone
formation is not yet complete
fovea Tiny pit or depression
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