Bone Surface Markings
Condyle
Large, round protuberance at the end of a bone Forms joint ex: Lateral condyle of the femur
Epicondyle
Projection above a condyle ex: medial epicondyle of the femur
Meatus
Tubelike opening ex: External auditory meatus of the temporal bone
Trochanter
Very large projection
Fossa
Shallow depression ex: coronoid fossa
2 Types of bone surface markings
1. Depressions and openings: -- Allow passage of soft tissues (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons) -- OR Allow formation of joints 2. Processes: Projections or outgrowths on bone that form joints or attachment points for connective tissue
Spinous process
Sharp, slender projection
Depressions and openings
- Allow passage of soft tissues (nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons) - OR Allow formation of joints 1. *Fissure* - Narrow slit between adjacent part of bones through which blood vessels or nerves pass 2. *Foramen* - Opening through which blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments pass. 3. *Fossa* - Shallow depression 4. *Sulcus* - Furrow along a bone surface that accommodates a blood vessel, nerve, or tendon 5. *Meatus* - Tubelike opening
Tubercle
Small, rounded projection ex: greater tubercle of the humerus
Facet
Smooth flat articular surface ex: sueprior articular facet of a vertebra
Tuberosity
Large, rounded, usually roughened projection ex: Ischial tuberosity of the hip bone
Foramen
Opening through which blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments pass ex: Optic foramen of the sphenoid bone
Processes
Projections or outgrowths on bone that form joints or attachment points for connective tissue Processes that form joints 1. *Condyle* - Large, round protuberance at the end of a bone 2. *Facet* - Smooth flat articular surface 3. *Head* - Rounded articular projection supported on the neck (constricted portion) of a bone Processes that form attachment points for connective tissue 4. *Crest* - Prominent ridge or elongated projection 5. *Epicondyle* - Projection above a condyle 6. *Line* - Long, narrow ridge or border (less prominent than a crest 7. *Spinous process* - Sharp, slender projection 8. *Trochanter* - Very large projection 9. *Tubercle* - Small, rounded projection 10. *Tuberosity* - Large, rounded, usually roughened projection
Crest
Prominent ridge or elongated projection ex: Iliac crest of the hip bone
Sulcus
Furrow along a bone surface that accommodates a blood vessel, nerve, or tendon ex: Intertubercular sulcus (groove)
Line
Long, narrow ridge or border (less prominent than a crest ex: Linea aspera of the femur
Fissure
Narrow slit between adjacent part of bones through which blood vessels or nerves pass ex: Superior orbital fissure
Head
Rounded articular projection supported on the neck (constricted portion) of a bone ex: Head of femur
