Comprehensive Bone List and Key Structures for Human Anatomy

Overview of the Human Skeletal System

The human skeletal system is composed of 206 bones, each with distinct anatomical features. Understanding the names, locations, and key landmarks of these bones is essential for students of anatomy and physiology. This guide provides a structured overview of the major bones and their important features, organized by region.

Skull Bones

Frontal Bone

• Supraorbital Foramen: Opening above each orbit for passage of blood vessels and nerves.

• Glabella: Smooth area between the eyebrows, above the nasal bone.

Parietal Bone

• Paired bones forming the superior and lateral aspects of the skull.

Sphenoid Bone

• Lesser Wing: Thin, triangular projections forming part of the cranial floor.

• Greater Wing: Larger, lateral projections contributing to the cranial floor and orbits.

• Sella Turcica: Saddle-shaped depression housing the pituitary gland.

• Foramen Rotundum, Ovale, Spinosum: Openings for cranial nerves and blood vessels.

Ethmoid Bone

• Crista Galli: Vertical projection for attachment of brain membranes.

• Cribriform Plate: Horizontal plate with foramina for olfactory nerves.

Temporal Bone

• Zygomatic Process: Articulates with the zygomatic bone to form the zygomatic arch.

• Styloid Process: Slender projection for muscle attachment.

• External Auditory Meatus: Canal leading to the eardrum.

• Mastoid Process: Rounded projection for neck muscle attachment.

Occipital Bone

• Occipital Condyles: Articulate with the first cervical vertebra (atlas).

• Foramen Magnum: Large opening for the spinal cord.

Facial Bones

• Nasal Bone: Forms the bridge of the nose.

• Lacrimal Bone: Small bone forming part of the medial orbit wall.

• Palatine Bone: Forms posterior part of the hard palate.

• Zygomatic Bone: Cheekbone; forms part of the orbit.

• Nasal Concha: Curved bones in the nasal cavity.

• Vomer: Forms part of the nasal septum.

• Maxilla: Upper jawbone; contains the following features:

  • Nasal Process

  • Infraorbital Foramen

  • Alveolar Processes: Sockets for teeth.

  • Zygomatic Process

• Mandible: Lower jawbone; features include:

  • Mandibular Condyle

  • Mandibular Notch

  • Coronoid Process

  • Mandibular Foramen

  • Mental Foramen

  • Alveolar Processes

Cranial Sutures

• Frontal/Coronal Suture: Between frontal and parietal bones.

• Sagittal Suture: Between right and left parietal bones.

• Lambdoid Suture: Between parietal and occipital bones.

• Squamosal Suture: Between parietal and temporal bones.

Hyoid Bone

• Greater Horn: Larger lateral projections.

• Lesser Horn: Smaller, superior projections.

Vertebral Column

Types of Vertebrae

• Cervical (7): Smallest, found in the neck.

• Thoracic (12): Articulate with ribs.

• Lumbar (5): Largest, support lower back.

Common Vertebral Features

• Body: Weight-bearing region.

• Spinous Process: Posterior projection for muscle attachment.

• Lamina: Part of vertebral arch.

• Transverse Processes: Lateral projections.

• Transverse Foramen: Only in cervical vertebrae; passage for arteries.

• Vertebral Foramen: Canal for spinal cord.

Special Cervical Vertebrae

• Atlas (C1): Supports the skull; has anterior and posterior tubercles.

• Axis (C2): Has dens (odontoid process) and superior articular facets for rotation.

Sacrum and Coccyx

• Sacral Promontory: Anterior border of the sacrum.

• Base: Broad superior surface.

• Sacral Foramina: Openings for nerves and vessels.

• Coccyx: Tailbone.

• Ala: Wing-like projections.

• Median Sacral Crest: Fused spinous processes.

Thoracic Cage

Ribs

• Costal Groove: Groove for nerves and vessels.

• Shaft: Main portion of the rib.

• Angle: Point of greatest curvature.

• Tubercle: Articulates with vertebrae.

Sternum

• Suprasternal Notch: Superior indentation.

• Clavicular Notch: Articulates with clavicle.

• Manubrium: Superior portion.

• Sternal Angle: Junction of manubrium and body.

• Body: Main portion.

• Xiphoid Process: Inferior tip.

Upper Extremity

Clavicle

• Acromial End: Articulates with scapula.

• Sternal End: Articulates with sternum.

Scapula

• Acromion: Lateral projection; forms shoulder tip.

• Coracoid Process: Anterior projection for muscle attachment.

• Body: Main portion.

• Glenoid Cavity: Articulates with humerus.

• Supraspinous Fossa: Depression above spine.

• Spine: Prominent ridge.

• Infraspinous Fossa: Depression below spine.

Humerus

• Greater and Lesser Tubercles: Muscle attachment sites.

• Head: Articulates with scapula.

• Anatomical and Surgical Neck: Constrictions below head.

• Lateral and Medial Epicondyles: Muscle attachment sites.

• Capitulum: Articulates with radius.

• Olecranon Fossa: Receives ulna during extension.

Radius

• Head and Neck: Proximal end; articulates with humerus and ulna.

• Tuberosity: Muscle attachment.

• Radial Styloid Process: Lateral wrist projection.

• Ulnar Notch: Articulates with ulna.

Ulna

• Trochlear Notch: Articulates with humerus.

• Olecranon: Elbow tip.

• Coronoid Process: Anterior projection.

• Head: Distal end.

• Radial Notch: Articulates with radius.

Hand

• Carpal Bones: Eight wrist bones: Hamate, Capitate, Pisiform, Triquetrum, Lunate, Trapezoid, Trapezium, Scaphoid.

• Metacarpals I-IV: Palm bones.

• Phalanges (I-IV): Finger bones; each has distal, middle, and proximal segments.

Pelvis

Hip Bones

• Ilium: Superior portion; features include Ala, Iliac Crest, Anterior/Posterior Superior/Inferior Iliac Spines, Greater Sciatic Notch.

• Pubis: Anterior portion; includes Inferior Pubic Ramus.

• Ischium: Posterior/inferior portion; includes Ischial Spine, Lesser Sciatic Notch, Ischial Tuberosity, Ischial Ramus.

• Obturator Foramen: Large opening for nerves and vessels.

• Acetabulum: Socket for femur.

• Pubic Symphysis: Cartilaginous joint uniting pubic bones.

Lower Extremity

Femur

• Head and Neck: Proximal articulating surfaces.

• Lesser and Greater Trochanters: Muscle attachment sites.

• Intertrochanteric Crest: Ridge between trochanters.

• Lateral and Medial Epicondyles/Condyles: Distal articulating surfaces.

• Patellar Groove: Articulates with patella.

• Linea Aspera: Posterior ridge for muscle attachment.

Patella

• Apex: Pointed inferior end.

• Base: Broad superior end.

Tibia

• Intercondylar Eminence: Proximal projection between condyles.

• Lateral and Medial Condyles: Articulate with femur.

• Tibial Tuberosity: Anterior projection for ligament attachment.

• Medial Malleolus: Medial ankle projection.

Fibula

• Head: Proximal end.

• Lateral Malleolus: Lateral ankle projection.

Tarsal Bones

• Calcaneus: Heel bone.

• Navicular, Cuboid, Talus, Lateral/Intermediate/Medial Cuneiforms: Bones of the foot arch and ankle.

Metatarsals and Phalanges

• Metatarsals I-IV: Foot bones.

• Phalanges (I-IV): Toe bones; each has distal, middle, and proximal segments.

Summary Table: Major Bones and Key Features

Region	Bone	Key Features
Skull	Frontal, Parietal, Sphenoid, Ethmoid, Temporal, Occipital	Supraorbital foramen, sella turcica, crista galli, mastoid process, foramen magnum
Face	Maxilla, Mandible, Zygomatic, Nasal, Lacrimal, Palatine, Vomer	Alveolar processes, infraorbital foramen, mental foramen, zygomatic process
Vertebral Column	Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacrum, Coccyx	Body, spinous process, transverse foramen, dens, sacral foramina
Thorax	Ribs, Sternum	Costal groove, manubrium, sternal angle, xiphoid process
Upper Limb	Clavicle, Scapula, Humerus, Radius, Ulna, Carpals, Metacarpals, Phalanges	Acromion, glenoid cavity, olecranon, trochlear notch, carpal bones
Pelvis	Ilium, Ischium, Pubis	Iliac crest, ischial tuberosity, obturator foramen, acetabulum
Lower Limb	Femur, Patella, Tibia, Fibula, Tarsals, Metatarsals, Phalanges	Greater trochanter, medial malleolus, calcaneus, cuneiforms

Example: Identifying the Humerus

• The humerus is the bone of the upper arm. Its head articulates with the scapula at the glenoid cavity. The greater and lesser tubercles serve as muscle attachment sites. The olecranon fossa receives the ulna during elbow extension.

Additional info:

• This guide expands on the provided list by grouping bones by region and adding definitions and anatomical context for each structure. Students should use anatomical models or diagrams to practice identification of each feature.