Anatomical Terms - Osteology

syndesmosis

a fibrous link between two bones (little to no movement permitted)

squama

a flat part

facet

a flat surface where a bone articulates with another bone

synchrondosis

a gap between bones filled with hyaline cartilage -- exists to allow growth

synovial joint

a gap filled with lubricating synovial fluid encased in a membrane; both bone ends covered in cartilage as a cushion

foramen

a hole

suture

a jagged line where two bones articulate

tubercle

a larger bump

fossa

a pit (usually does not open to the other side)

superior

above/cranial

sinus

an air filled space within the bone

distal

away from trunk of body

inferior

below/caudal

flexion

bending a limb

transverse plane

divides the body top and bottom

epiphysis

end of a long bone

sagittal plane

goes front to back; divides body into left and right

coronal plane

goes side to side; divides body into front and back

metaphysis

growth zone

eversion

lateral rotation of foot (knees together)

supination

lateral rotation of the hand (hold the soup)

appendicular skeleton

limbs, pelvic and shoulder girdle

inversion

medial rotation of the foot (edge of foot)

pronation

medial rotation of the hand (no soup)

abduction

movement away from the midline of the body

adduction

movement toward midline of the body

rotation

moving a limb (or head etc) around its long axis

process

protruding part or bump often where the bone meets with the body

diaphysis

shaft of a long bone

extension

straightening a limb to maximum length; increasing the size of angle

axial skeleton

the vertebral column and head

anterior/ventral

to the front (belly)

lateral

to the outside

proximal

toward attachment to body (origin of limb)

posterior/dorsal

toward the back

distal (tooth)

toward the back of the mouth

buccal/labial

toward the cheek or lips

cranial

toward the head (especially with vertebral column)

medial

toward the midline

mesial

toward the midline of the mouth

caudal

toward the tail/coccyx

lingual

toward the tongue

origin

where the end of a muscle attaches to the skeleton

insertion

where the other end of the muscle attaches