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
