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