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Appendicular Skeleton Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (28)

  • What is the appendicular skeleton?
    The appendicular skeleton consists of 126 bones that allow movement and manipulation of objects, including all bones besides the axial skeleton, such as limbs and supportive girdles.
  • What bones make up the pectoral girdle?
    The pectoral girdle consists of two clavicles (collarbones) and two scapulae (shoulder blades), connecting the arms to the body and positioning the shoulders.
  • Where does the pectoral girdle connect to the axial skeleton?
    The pectoral girdle connects to the axial skeleton only at the manubrium via the sternal end of the clavicle.
  • Describe the clavicle's articulations.
    The clavicle articulates medially with the manubrium of the sternum and laterally with the acromion of the scapula.
  • What are the three borders of the scapula?
    The scapula has a superior border, a medial (vertebral) border, and a lateral (axillary) border.
  • What is the glenoid cavity of the scapula?
    The glenoid cavity is the lateral angle of the scapula that holds the head of the humerus, forming the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint.
  • Name the two processes around the scapular glenoid cavity.
    The coracoid process (smaller, anterior) and the acromion (larger, posterior) processes surround the glenoid cavity.
  • What is the function of the scapular spine?
    The scapular spine is a ridge on the posterior scapula that separates the supraspinous fossa and infraspinous fossa.
  • What bone is found in the arm (brachium)?
    The humerus is the single bone of the arm, articulating proximally with the scapula.
  • What are the major features of the proximal humerus?
    The proximal humerus has the head, greater tubercle (lateral), lesser tubercle (anterior, medial), and the intertubercular groove between tubercles.
  • What is the surgical neck of the humerus?
    The surgical neck is the narrow metaphysis below the anatomical neck, a common fracture site.
  • What are the distal articulations of the humerus?
    The distal humerus articulates with the radius at the capitulum and with the ulna at the trochlea.
  • Name the fossae on the distal humerus and their functions.
    Olecranon fossa (posterior, receives olecranon of ulna), coronoid fossa (anterior, receives coronoid process of ulna), and radial fossa (anterior, receives head of radius).
  • What bones make up the forearm?
    The forearm consists of two long bones: the ulna (medial) and the radius (lateral).
  • Describe the olecranon of the ulna.
    The olecranon is the superior end of the ulna, forming the point of the elbow and the superior lip of the trochlear notch.
  • What is the interosseous membrane?
    A fibrous sheet connecting the lateral margin of the ulna shaft to the radius, stabilizing the two bones.
  • What are the key features of the radius?
    The radius has a disk-shaped head articulating with the capitulum of the humerus, a radial tuberosity for biceps attachment, and a styloid process stabilizing the wrist.
  • How many carpal bones are in the wrist and how are they arranged?
    There are eight carpal bones arranged in two rows: four proximal (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform) and four distal (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate).
  • What bones form the pelvic girdle?
    The pelvic girdle is made up of two coxal (hip) bones, each formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis.
  • What is the acetabulum?
    The acetabulum is the hip socket on the lateral surface of the coxal bone where the ilium, ischium, and pubis meet; it articulates with the femoral head.
  • Name important landmarks of the ilium.
    The iliac crest (upper brim) and the greater sciatic notch (for sciatic nerve) are key landmarks of the ilium.
  • What are the key features of the ischium?
    The ischium includes the ischial spine, ischial tuberosity (the 'sit bone'), and ischial ramus.
  • What is the pubic symphysis?
    The pubic symphysis is the joint where the two pubic bones meet, connected by a pad of fibrocartilage.
  • What bones and structures form the pelvis?
    The pelvis consists of the two coxal bones, the sacrum, and the coccyx, stabilized by ligaments of the pelvic girdle, sacrum, and lumbar vertebrae.
  • What is the difference between the true pelvis and false pelvis?
    The true pelvis encloses the pelvic cavity below the pelvic brim, while the false pelvis is the expanded ilium above the pelvic brim.
  • List key differences between male and female pelvis.
    Female pelvis is broader, smoother, lighter, with a wider pelvic inlet and less sacral curvature; male pelvis is narrower, heavier, and more robust.
  • What bones make up the lower limb?
    The lower limb includes the femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges.
  • What is the function of the patella?
    The patella is a sesamoid bone formed within the quadriceps tendon that protects the knee joint and improves leverage.