Anatomy & Physiology: Surface Features of Bones

Surface Features of Bones

The surfaces of bones bear projections, depressions, ridges, and various other features. A process (projection) on one bone may fit with a depression on a second bone to form a joint. Another process allows for the attachment of a muscle or ligament. Grooves and openings provide passageways for blood vessels or nerves. A list of the various processes and other surface features appears in Table 1 .

TABLE 1

Various Processes & Other Surface Features

General	Process	Projection or Prominence on a Bone
Processes that help form joints	Condyle	Large, rounded articular process
	Facet	Smooth, flat surface
	Head	Enlarge portion at an end of a bone
	Ramus	Branch or extension of a bone
Processes that provide for the attachment of muscles and ligaments	Crest	Narrow ridge
	Epicondyle	Process on or above a condyle
	Linea (line)	Narrow ridge (less prominent than a crest)
	Spine	Sharp or pointed process (spinous process)
	Trochanter	Large, irregularly shaped process (found only on the femur)
	Tubercle	Small, knoblike process
	Tuberosity	Large, knoblike process
Depressions or openings (may provide passageways for blood vessels and nerves)	Fissure	Narrow opening
	Foramen	Round opening
	Fossa	Shallow depression
	Fovea	Pitlike depression
	Fontanel	Membrane-covered spaces between skull bones
	Meatus	Tubelike passage
	Sinus	Interior cavity
	Sulcus(or groove)	Long, narrow depression