Bone Markings - Depressions and Openings used for Passageways for Blood Vessels and Nerves

Fissure example(s)

Auricular fissure

Fossa

Elongated basin or shallow depression

Meatus example(s)

External auditory meatus

Foramen example(s)

Foramen magnum in the occipital bone

Groove

Furrow bone surface which runs along length of vessel nerve, provide space to avoid compression by adjacent muscle or external force

Foramen

Hole through bone, rounded passageway for blood vessels and/or nerves

Fossa example(s)

Mandibular fossa

Meatus

Opening into canal, passage or channel especially the opening of a canal

Groove example(s)

groove (sulcus) of the humerus

Fissure

Slit through bone, deep furrow, cleft or slit