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Appendicular Skeleton Anatomy & Physiology

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  • What bones make up the pectoral girdle?
    The pectoral girdle consists of the clavicle (collarbone) and the scapula (shoulder blade).
  • What is the function of the clavicle's medial and lateral attachments?
    The medial attachment connects the clavicle to the manubrium of the sternum; the lateral attachment connects the clavicle to the scapula, forming the pectoral girdle.
  • How can you distinguish the anterior and posterior views of the scapula?
    The posterior view shows the scapular spine, a prominent ridge; the anterior view is smooth and flat without the spine.
  • Name the three borders of the scapula.
    The scapula has a superior border (top), medial border (closest to the spine), and lateral border (closest to the arm).
  • What are the three angles of the scapula?
    The scapula has a superior angle (top), inferior angle (bottom), and a lateral angle near the glenoid cavity.
  • What is the function of the scapula's coracoid process and acromion process?
    Both are muscle attachment sites; the acromion also connects to the clavicle to form the pectoral girdle.
  • What muscles sit in the scapular fossae?
    The rotator cuff muscles occupy the subscapular, supraspinous, and infraspinous fossae, aiding shoulder and arm movement.
  • How many bones are in the upper extremity on one side?
    There are 30 bones in the upper extremity: 1 humerus, 2 forearm bones (radius and ulna), 8 carpals, 5 metacarpals, and 14 phalanges.
  • What are the two epiphyses of a long bone like the humerus?
    The proximal epiphysis (near the shoulder) and the distal epiphysis (near the elbow).
  • What is the function of the head of the humerus?
    The smooth, round head articulates with the scapula's glenoid cavity to form the shoulder joint.
  • What are the greater and lesser tubercles on the humerus?
    They are rough projections for muscle attachment; the greater tubercle is larger and visible posteriorly, the lesser is smaller.
  • Why is the metaphysis of the humerus called the surgical neck?
    It is the common site of fractures where the diaphysis meets the epiphysis.
  • What are the condyles and epicondyles of the humerus?
    Condyles are smooth projections forming joints (capitulum and trochlea); epicondyles are rough projections for muscle attachment.
  • How do you identify the medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus?
    The medial epicondyle is on the same side as the humerus head; the lateral epicondyle is on the opposite side.
  • What bones make up the forearm?
    The forearm consists of the radius (lateral, thumb side) and the ulna (medial, pinky side).
  • What is the unique movement of the radius and ulna?
    They can cross over each other during pronation, forming an X shape when palms face down.
  • How can you distinguish the radius from the ulna by their proximal ends?
    The radius has a flat, round radial head; the ulna has a claw-shaped trochlear notch.
  • What is the function of the olecranon process of the ulna?
    It is the bony projection felt at the back of the elbow and a site for muscle attachment.
  • What is the radial notch of the ulna?
    An indentation where the radial head fits, allowing articulation between radius and ulna.
  • What are the names and functions of the fossae on the distal humerus?
    The radial fossa accepts the radial head; the coronoid fossa accepts the ulna's coronoid process; the olecranon fossa accepts the ulna's olecranon during elbow extension.
  • What bones form the pelvic girdle?
    The pelvic girdle is formed by the coxal bones (ilium, ischium, pubis) and the sacrum (axial bone).
  • What is the pubic symphysis?
    A fibrocartilage disc where the two pubis bones meet anteriorly, allowing slight movement.
  • What type of bone is the coxal bone and its components?
    The coxal bone as a whole is irregular, but its three fused parts (ilium, ischium, pubis) are flat bones.
  • What is the greater sciatic notch and its significance?
    A large indentation on the posterior coxal bone where the sciatic nerve passes; it helps distinguish anterior from posterior.
  • What is the ischial tuberosity?
    The thick, weight-bearing part of the ischium that you sit on; also a muscle attachment site.
  • What is the acetabulum?
    A deep fossa where the ilium, ischium, and pubis fuse; it articulates with the femur head to form the hip joint.
  • What is the obturator foramen?
    The largest foramen in the body, a passageway for blood vessels and nerves to the lower limb.
  • How many bones are in the lower extremity on one side?
    There are 29 bones: femur, tibia, fibula, 7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals, and 14 phalanges.
  • What is the largest and strongest bone in the body?
    The femur, which forms the thigh bone.
  • What are the trochanters of the femur?
    Rough projections for muscle attachment: the greater trochanter (larger) and lesser trochanter (smaller).
  • What is the patellar surface of the femur?
    Anterior indentation where the patella (kneecap) sits.
  • How do you identify medial and lateral condyles and epicondyles of the femur?
    The side of the femur head is medial; condyles and epicondyles on that side are medial, opposite side is lateral.
  • What is the difference between the tibia and fibula in terms of weight bearing?
    The tibia is weight-bearing and larger; the fibula is smaller and mainly for muscle attachment.
  • What are the malleoli of the tibia and fibula?
    The medial malleolus is on the tibia; the lateral malleolus is on the fibula; both form ankle projections.
  • Which tarsal bones are weight bearing?
    The talus, calcaneus, navicular, and medial and intermediate cuneiforms bear weight.
  • Which tarsal bones are non-weight bearing?
    The cuboid and lateral cuneiform are generally non-weight bearing.
  • How are the bones of the fingers and toes named?
    By location (distal, intermediate, proximal), bone type (phalange), and digit number (1-5). The thumb and big toe lack intermediate phalanges.