Bone Markings / Features on Bones

1.

Angle

A corner

Feature of shape of bone

Inferior angle (lower) and superior angle (upper) are the rounded angles or "corners" of the scapula.

2.

Body

The main portion of a bone

The diaphysis of long bones such as the humerus.

3.

Condyle

Rounded bump or large rounded prominence. Such rounded surfaces usually fit into a fossa on another bone to form a joint.

Process - forms joints

The medial condyle of the femur (bone), upper-leg.

4.

Crest

Moderately raised and therefore prominent border or ridge. Such crests are often sites for a muscle attachment.

Process - attach connective tissues

The iliac crest of the ilium (bone), which is part of the hip.

5.

Diaphysis

Shaft (main section) of a long-bone

The long straight sections of e.g. the humerus, fibula, tibia and femur.

6.

Epicondyle

Bump near a condyle; often give appearance of a "bump on a bump"; for muscle attachment

Process - attach connective tissues

The medial epicondyle of the humerus, which is larger and more prominent than the lateral epicondyle (of the humerus bone).

7.

Epiphysis

The end part of a long bone which usually has a larger diameter than the shaft-part of the bone (which is called the diaphysis).

Articular part (ends) of long bones.

The proximal epiphysis (shoulder-end) and the distal epiphysis (elbow-end) of the humerus bone.

8.

Facet

A smooth flat articular surface. Such flat surfaces may form a joint with another facet or flat bone.

Process - forms joints

Facets (surfaces) of spinal vertebrae, e.g. the superior articular facets of cervical vertebrae.

9.

Fissure

Long, crack-line hole for blood vessels and nerves

Channel-like cleft or crack

The tympanomastoid fissure (also known as the auricular fissure) separates the tympanic portion of the temporal bone from the mastoid portion of the temporal bone and carries the auricular branch of the vagus nerve through the bone structure.

10.

Foramen
(pl. foramina)

Round hole through which blood vessels, nerves or ligaments pass.

Hole

The foramen magnum of the occipital bone at the base of the skull.
Also vertebral foramina in the vertebrae of the spine.

11.

Fossa
(pl. fossae)

A shallow depression (the word suggests "ditch" or "trench"). Such depressions in the surface of bones often receive another articulating bone with which a joint is formed.

(Shallow) depression

The mandibular fossa of the temporal bone, forming part of the skull behind the ear/s.

12.

Head

A rounded projection that forms part of a joint (in combination with a fitting part of an adjacent bone) and is separated from the shaft of the same bone by a narrow portion (usually called a "neck").

Process - forms joints

Head of the femur at the top of the femur (bone), upper-leg.

13.

Line

Similar to a crest but not raised as much - may be relatively faint

Superior temporal line and inferior temporal line on the outer surfaces of each of the parietal bones of the skull.

14.

Margin

Edge of a flat bone or flat portion of the edge of a flat area

The supraorbital margin on the external surface of the frontal bone forms the upper boundary of the base of the orbit (approx located on the upper surface of the eye sockets towards the lateral sides so upper-right of right eye and upper-left of left eye).

15.

Meatus
(pl. meati)

A tube-like opening or channel extending within a bone.

Channel through bone

External auditory meatus of the temporal bone, forming the part of the skull behind the ear.

16.

Neck

A section of bone (esp. of long bones) between the "head" and the "shaft" of the bone, the "neck" of a bone is a narrowed portion, usually located at the base of the "head" of the bone.

Neck of the femur below the top "head" of the femur (bone), upper-leg.

17.

Notch

A V-like depression in the margin or edge of a flat area

Articulatory surface

The radial notch of the ulna (inner bone of the lower forearm) is a narrow, oblong, articular depression on the lateral side of the coronoid process; it articulates with the head of the radius (outer bone of the lower forearm).

18.

Process

A raised area or projection

Process - attach connective tissues

The vertebrae have transverse process(es) and spinous process(es) which are, in general, more pronounced the lower the position of the vertebrae down the spine.

19.

Ramus
(pl. rami)

Curved portion of a bone, like a ram's horn.

Curved surface

The inferior pubic ramus and the superior pubic ramus are features of the lower part of the pelvis bone.

20.

Sinus

Cavity within a bone

Cavity

The sphenoidal sinuses are the semi-open areas enclosed by the sphenoid bone that act as drains from the nasal cavity.

21.

Spine or
Spinous process

Similar to a crest but raised higher; a sharp, pointed, slender projection. Such sharp raised projections called spines are often sites for muscle attachment.

Process - attach connective tissues

The spinous processes of vertebrae, which together form the "spine" (backbone).

22.

Sulcus
(pl. sulci)

Groove, crevice or furrow. Such elongated depressions may accommodate a blood vessel, nerve or tendon.

Channel-like depression

Sigmoid sulcus on the inner surface of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone(s) - which form part of the skull (behind the ears).

23.

Trochanter

Large blunt bump-like projection (larger than a tuberosity, which is in turn larger than a tubercle)

Process - attach connective tissues

Only one human example: the greater trochanter at the top of the femur (bone), upper-leg.

24.

Tuberosity

Large rounded or oblong projection that may look like a raised bump. Such rounded/oblong projections called tuberosities are often sites for muscle attachment.

Process - attach connective tissues

The deltoid tuberosity of the humerus (bone), upper-arm.

25.

Tubercle

Small tuberosity that may also be described as a round nodule or warty outgrowth.

Process - attach connective tissues; can also form articular surfaces

The non-articular part of each rib tubercle attaches to the ligament of the tubercle.

Note: This table lists bone markings and features on bones in alphabetical order. It is a numbered list because some people find it easier to remember sets of information by also remembering how many of each type of item they have to recall.