Win an iPod touch! Enter now

Which famous historical woman would you most like to have dinner with?

Amelia Earheart
Joan of Arc
Sacajawea
Jane Austen
Betsy Ross

View Results

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

Cite this article

cover
Understanding Forensics Can Be Murder
Investigate forensic science through a killer mystery!
Check Out the Forensic Mission Here!