Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Appendicular Skeleton

Required Readings: Moore’s Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 7th edition

pgs. 7-11; 16-36; 512-531; 626-669; 673-687; 793-819

1. Understand the basics of bone markings/macroscopic bone anatomy terminology

The macroscopic appearance of bone varies based on the function of that area of bone (e.g. muscle tendon/ligament attachment, neurovasculature entering/exiting bone, joint formation, etc.) and between individuals. Understanding the basic terminology of macroscopic bone anatomy will assist in further osteological analysis.

A most basic division of osteological landmarks includes: depressions/openings & projections/processes.

Depressions and openings have two main functions: allowing the passage of soft tissue through or along bone and formation of joints. The articular surfaces of bone (joint formation) are smooth, as they were covered with articular cartilage during life.

See Table 1 for a list of depressions/openings that are commonly found on bones of upper/lower limbs.

Table 1: Osteological landmarks: depressions/openings

Projections and processes have two main functions: formation of joints and attachment points for connective tissues (muscle tendons, ligaments). See Table 2 for a list of projections/processes that are commonly found on bones of upper/lower limbs.

Table 2: Osteological landmarks: projections/processes

2. Identify bones and major bony landmarks of upper and lower limbs.

Arches of Foot

Medial longitudinal arch

Description

Relevance

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bluelink-anatomy-tables/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Screen%20Shot%202018-03-26%20at%209.05.41%20AM.png?attredirects=0

Transverse arch

Carpals

Capitate

Description

Relevance

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bluelink-anatomy-tables/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Copy%20of%20Slide18.JPG?attredirects=0

Hamate

Lunate

Pisiform

Scaphoid

Trapezium

Trapezoid

Triquetrum

Clavicle

Acromial end

Description

Flattened, lateral end of clavicle

Enlarged, medial end of clavicle

Description

Relevance

Articulates with scapula (acromion) at acromioclavicular (AC) joint

Articulates with manubrium of sternum at sternoclavicular joint

Relevance

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Screen%20Shot%202018-03-22%20at%208.32.30%20AM.png

Sternal end

Coxal Bone

Acetabulum

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bluelink-anatomy-tables/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Copy%20of%20Slide30.JPG?attredirects=0

Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bluelink-anatomy-tables/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Copy%20of%20Slide25.JPG?attredirects=0

Greater sciatic notch

Iliac crest

Ilium

Inferior pubic ramus

Ischial ramus

Ischial tuberosity

Ischium

Obturator foramen

Pubic body

Pubic tubercle

Pubis

Superior pubic ramus

Symphysial surface

Femur

Greater trochanter

Description

Relevance

Head

Intercondylar fossa

Intertrochanteric crest

Lateral condyle

Lateral epicondyle

Lesser trochanter

Linea aspera

Medial condyle

Medial epicondyle

Neck

Fibula

Head

Lateral malleolus

Neck

Humerus

Anatomical neck

Description

Relevance

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Capitulum

Deltoid tuberosity

Greater tubercle

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bluelink-anatomy-tables/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Copy%20of%20Slide9.JPG?attredirects=0

Head

Lateral epicondyle

Lesser tubercle

Medial epicondyle

Olecranon fossa

Radial groove

Surgical neck

Trochlea

Metacarpals & Phalanges

Distal phalanges

Description

Relevance

Metacarpals

Middle phalanges

Proximal phalanges

Metatarsals & Phalanges

Distal phalanges

Description

Relevance

Metatarsals

Middle phalanges

Proximal phalanges

Patella

Description

Relevance

Radius

Carpal articular surface

Head

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bluelink-anatomy-tables/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Slide11.JPG?attredirects=0

Radial styloid process

Radial tuberosity

Scapula

Acromion

Description

Relevance

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bluelink-anatomy-tables/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Copy%20of%20Slide6.JPG?attredirects=0

Coracoid process

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bluelink-anatomy-tables/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Copy%20of%20Slide5.JPG?attredirects=0

Glenoid cavity

https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/resources/bluelink-anatomy-tables/bones-bony-landmarks-of-upper-and-lower-limbs/Copy%20of%20Slide7.JPG?attredirects=0

Inferior angle

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Infraspinous fossa

Lateral border

Medial border

Spine of scapula

Subscapular fossa

Superior angle

Suprascapular notch

Supraspinous fossa

Tarsals

Calcaneal tuberosity

Description

Relevance

Calcaneus

Cuboid

Medial cuneiform

Middle cuneiform

Navicular

Lateral cuneiform

Sustentaculum tali

Talus

Tibia

Intercondylar eminence

Description

Relevance

Lateral condyle

Medial condyle

Medial malleolus

Tibial plateau

Tibial tuberosity

Ulna

Coronoid process

Description

Relevance

Head

Olecranon

Radial notch

Trochlear notch

Ulnar styloid process

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