Chapter 8: Appendicular Skeleton

phalanges

14 bones forming the digits of the thumb and fingers

os coxae

2 bones of the pelvic girdle; each is formed by the fusion of 3 separate bones during fetal development

pelvic girdle

2 bones which connect the lower extremities to the axial skeleton; designed to bear weight of standing/seated body; support and protect organs and muscles of lower abdominal and pelvic cavities

femoral epicondyles

2 rounded projections of the patellar groove; move over the surface of the tibia, forming the knee's hinge joint

patellar facets

2 shallow depressions on the posterior surface of the patella allowing it to fit over the femoral epicondyles within the patellar groove

tibial prominence

2 spine like features extending upward in the center of the tibia's proximal end, creating attachment points for knee ligaments

medial phalanges

4 bones forming the middle digit of each of the 4 fingers; thumb doesn't have a bone of this type; individually known as _____ 1-4 from pointer to pinky

distal row

4 carpal bones in contact with the bones of the hand

proximal row

4 carpal bones in contact with the distal end of the radius/ulna

proximal phalanges

5 bones directly attached to each metacarpal, forming the first digit of each finger and thumb; individually named ________ 1-5 from thumb to pinky

metacarpals

5 bones forming the structure of the hand; named _______ I-V from thumb to pinky

distal phalanges

5 bones forming the terminal digit of each finger and thumb; individually known as ______ 1-5 from thumb to pinky

metatarsals

5 long bones that create most of the structure of the foot; numbered with I-V, big to little

trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate

List the 4 bones of the distal row in order from the thumb to the pinky.

scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform

List the 4 bones of the proximal row in order from the thumb to the pinky.

patellar base

a broad, flat upper surface of the patella where most knee ligaments attach

semilunar notch

a crescent shaped depression at the proximal end of the ulna forming the articulating surface of that bone at the elbow

femoral condyle

a deep groove between the 2 femoral epicondyles on the posterior surface of the femur, creating attachment points for multiple knee ligaments

glenoid fossa

a deep pit on the lateral margin of the scapula where the head of the humerus inserts; forms the socket of the shoulder's ball and socket joint

phalanges

a group of 14 long bones forming the structure of the toes

pectoral girdle

a group of 4 bones which form an incomplete girdle around the upper body, connecting the bones of the arms to the axial skeleton

tarsals

a group of 7 short bones that form most of the ankle, heel and proximal portion of the arch of the foot

olecranon process

a hook like feature at the proximal end of the ulna; moves over the humeral condyle and fits into the olecranon fossa to prevent elbow hyperextension

biceps tuberosity

a large bump near the proximal end of the radius where the biceps muscle inserts to flex the elbow

lesser trochanter

a large bump on the posterior surface of the femoral shaft just beneath the surgical neck; creates an attachment point for groin muscles

tibial tuberosity

a large bump on the surface of the tibia just below the proximal end where tendons of the quad muscle attach to straighten the knee

obturator foramen

a large opening between the pubis and ischium allowing blood vessels and nerves to enter the leg; also distributes bone weight throught the pelvic girdle, allowing for a normal bipedal stance

medial malleolus

a large, downward pointing projection capping the inner surface of the ankle, protecting it and forming an attachment point for ankle ligaments and tendons

surgical neck

a medial projection at the proximal end of the femur allowing the femoral head to fit into the acetabulum, while allowing the femoral shaft to be positioned more lateral

surgical neck

a medial projection at the proximal end of the humerus; projects the humeral head into the glenoid fossa while allowing the shaft of the humerus to freely move away from the body

symphysis pubis

a pad of cartilage between the pubic bones allowing the pelvic girdle to flex during a normal stride and expand in a female skeleton during childbirth

conoid tuberosity

a projection off of the posterior side of the clavicle near the acromial end serving as an attachment point for shoulder ligaments

greater trochanter

a prominent hook like feature at the proximal end of the femur creating an attachment point for muscles and a protective roof over blood vessels and nerves

humeral head

a rounded feature at the proximal end of the humerus; it fits into the glenoid fossa of the scapula, where it functions as the ball of the shoulder's ball and socket joint

carpals

a row of 8 short bones arranged into 2 different rows, collectively forming the gliding joint of the wrist

radial fossa

a shallow pit at the proximal end of the radius that a humeral epicondyle fits into to stabilize the elbow joint

supraspinous fossa

a shallow pit on the upper surface of the scapular spine where muscles that lower the shoulder insert

tibial crest

a sharp ridge in the center of the frontal surface of the tibia creating an attachment point for leg muscles; inflammation of those tendons can cause the crest to cut into them, causing shin splints

interosseus crest

a sharp ridge on the midpoint of the ulnar shaft acting as an attachment point for forearm ligaments and tendons

scapular spine

a sharp ridge running across the top of the scapulae, acting as an attachment point for muscles that elevate and lower the shoulder

patellar groove

a slight depression at the distal end of the femur providing the room needed for the patella to cover and protect the knee

deltoid tuberosity

a small bump at the midpoint of the humeral diaphysis where the deltoid muscle inserts, allowing the humerus to be raised

fovea capitis

a small pit in the femoral head, creating an attachment point for hip ligaments, giving it greater ability to support body weight

ulnar tuberosity

a tooth like projection at the distal end of the ulna providing an attachment point for wrist ligaments

talus

an L shaped bone that forms the articulating surface of the ankle, tibia and fibula

pubis

an arrowhead shaped bone forming the frontal half of the lower third of each os coxus; attachment point for a numbers of hip and groin muscles and forms a supportive shelf for muscles and organs of the pelvic girdle

fibular process

an upward pointing feature at the proximal end of the fibula forming an attachment point for knee ligaments

pubic arch

area between 2 pubic bones; in female skeletons the angle of this arch is greater than 90 degrees, giving the pelvis the ability to support the weight of an unborn child; in men, the angle is less than 90 degrees, making it more suited to support muscle groups for running or leaping

appendicular skeleton

bones of the arms, hands, feet, and legs and those which attach them to the axial skeleton

upper extremities

bones of the arms, wrists and hands

sternal end

broad, medial end of the clavicle; fits into the clavicular notch of the sternum, allowing it to reinforce the pectoral girdle

clavicle

collarbones; form the frontal portion of the PG, help to stabilize the shoulder joint, and serve as an attachment site for shoulder and chest muscles; most frequently fractured bone of the skeleton

greater sciatic arch

deep groove in area where ischium fuses with ilium; spinal nerves and blood vessels pass through into the thigh and buttocks

lateral malleolus

downward pointing structure at the distal end of the fibula capping the outer surface of the ankle joint and providing an attachment point for ankle ligaments

condylar surface

flat region at the proximal end of the tibia with 2 condyles that form the articulating surface of the knee that the femoral epicondyles fit into

acromial end

flat, lateral end of the clavicle connected to a portion of the scapula by a series of ligaments; helps cap and protect the shoulder joint

scapular blade

flat, triangular region protecting the posterior surface of the chest cavity and providing an attachment point for a number of shoulder and back muscles

proximal phalanges

form the first digit of each toe; numbered 1-5

medial phalanges

form the middle digit of each of the true toes; the big toe (hallus) has no bone of this type; individually known as ____ 1-4 from big to little toe

distal phalanges

forms the terminal digit of each toe known as the ____ 1-4 from big to little toe

humeral condyle

grooved area in the middle of the distal end of the humerus; forms the articulating surface of the elbow

humeral epicondyles

group of 4 large bumps, 2 on each side of the distal end of the humerus, providing attachment points for elbow ligaments

calcaneus

heel bone; largest of the tarsals with an attachment point for the Achille's tendon, which allows for flexion of the foot

coracoid process

inferior process at the lateral end of the scapula; covers the humeral head at the shoulder joint and provides an attachment point for shoulder ligaments

patella

kneecap; sesamoid bone covering and protecting the knee joint

acetabulum

large fossa on frontal edge of ischium; femoral head fits into it; the socket of the hip's ball and socket joint

ilium

largest portion of the ox coxus; forms upper half of each of those bones; flat structure protects pelvic organs and provides attachment for lower back muscles; major source of red marrow for transplant procedures

sacro-ilium

line of fusion joining sacral vertebrae to the pelvic girdle

apex

pointed inferior region of the patella covering and protecting the seam between the femur and tibia

ischium

posterior half of the lower portion of the os coxus; bears the seated weight of the body

ischial tuberosity

projection just below the greater sciatic notch; origin point for gluteal muscles

femoral head

rounded feature at the proimal end of the femur; fits into the acetabulum of the pelvic girdle, where it acts as the ball of the hip's ball and socket joint

infraspinous fossa

shallow pit on the lower surface of the scapular spine where muscles that raise the shoulder insert

olecranon fossa

shallow pit on the posterior surface of the humerus at its distal end that a feature of the ulna fits into to prevent elbow hyperextension

tibia

shin; larger, more frontal bone of the lower leg designed to support standing weight of the body and structured to function as a part of both the knee and ankle

radius

shorter, thicker bone of the forearm positioned on the thumb side

scapula

shoulder blade; large, irregular bone forming the lateral and posterior portions of the pectoral girdle

humerus

single bone of the upper arm providing insertion points for shoulder muscles and origin points for elbow muscles

femur

single longest bone of the skeleton forming the entire structure of the upper leg

radial tuberosity

spike like projection at the distal end of the radius; provides an attachment point for wrist ligaments

acromion process

superior most structure at the lateral end of the scapula; directly attaches to the acromial end of the clavicle, forming the acromio-clavicular (AC) joint, the most frequently separated joint in the skeleton

fibula

thinner posterior bone of the lower leg; most of its structure is completely surrounded by the calf muscle

ulna

thinner, longer bone of the forearm on the pinky side providing attachment points for elbow and wrist muscles

trochlea

upper flat region of the talus surrounded on each side by the lateral and medial malleoli

iliac crest

upper ridge of illium where several muscles atttach