Bone Markings

You will find these terms quite useful when identifying structures for the practical.

Bone Marking	Description
Condyle	Large, rounded, articular process
Crest	Prominent ridge
Epicondyle	Raised area on, above, or to the side of a condyle.
Facet	Smooth, nearly flat articular surface
Fissure	An elongated cleft (a long gash)
Foramen	Hole for blood vessels, ligaments, or nerves to pass through.
Fossa	Shallow depression
Groove	Furrow
Head	Bony expansion carried on a narrow neck
Line	Narrow ridge of bone; less prominent than a crest
Meatus	Bony canal
Neck	Narrow connection between the epiphysis and the diaphysis
Process	A bony projection or bump
Ramus	Bridge of a bone
Sinus	A chamber within a bone, normally filled with air.
Spine	Sharp, slender, probably pointed projection
Trochanter	Very large, blunt, irregularly shaped process, ONLY found on the FEMUR
Tubercle	Small, rounded projection
Tuberosity	Large, rounded, maybe roughened projection