Chapter 7: Surface Markings of Bones

Overview

• Understand the naming and learning of surface markings on different bones.
• Focus on two main types of surface markings:
  • Depressions and Openings: Allow passage of nerves, vessels, ligaments, and tendons.
  • Processes: Help form joints or provide attachment points for connective tissues.

Depressions and Openings

1. Fissure

   • Definition: A narrow slit.
   • Example: Superior and inferior orbital fissures in the eye for the passage of blood vessels and nerves.

2. Foramen

   • Definition: A hole or opening.
   • Example: Foramen magnum, and other foramina in the skull.

3. Fossa

   • Definition: A shallow depression.
   • Example: Mandibular fossa on the skull, glenoid fossa on the scapula, and fossa on the humerus.

4. Sulcus

   • Definition: A groove or furrow.
   • Example: Sulcus on the humerus.

5. Meatus

   • Definition: A tube-like passageway.
   • Example: External auditory meatus.

Processes

Forming Joints or Articulations

1. Condyle

   • Definition: Round, knuckle-like projection.
   • Example: Occipital condyle, mandibular condyle, condyles on the humerus and femur.

2. Facet

   • Definition: Smooth, flat articular surface.
   • Example: Facet on vertebrae.

3. Head

   • Definition: Rounded articulation supported by a neck.
   • Example: Head of the femur, humerus, and radius.

Attachment Points for Connective Tissue

1. Crest

   • Definition: Large prominent ridge.
   • Example: Crest on hip bones.

2. Spinous Process

   • Definition: Sharp, slender projection.
   • Example: Spine on scapula and spinous processes on vertebrae.

3. Epicondyle

   • Definition: Projection above a condyle.
   • Example: Epicondyles on humerus.

4. Trochanter

   • Definition: Very large projection, only on the femur.
   • Example: Greater and lesser trochanters on the femur.

5. Tubercle

   • Definition: Rounded, knob-like projection.
   • Example: Tubercle on the humerus.

6. Tuberosity

   • Definition: Rough, bumpy surface.
   • Example: Tuberosity on the radius, ischial tuberosity on the hip, tibial tuberosity.

Summary

• Understanding the types and functions of bone markings is crucial for mapping out the passageways for nerves and blood vessels, as well as for identifying points of articulation and attachment in the skeletal system. This chapter helps to identify and categorize these various bone structures effectively.