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