Untitled Quiz

Postcranial Axial Skeleton

The vertebral column consists of five distinct types of vertebrae: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.
Each vertebra has key identifying features:
- Vertebral body: main weight-bearing section.
- Vertebral arch: encloses the vertebral foramen.
- Spinous process: projects backward.
- Transverse processes: project laterally.
- Vertebral foramen: passage for the spinal cord.
- Transverse foramina (in cervical vertebrae): passage for blood vessels.
Cervical vertebrae (C1-C7): The first two vertebrae (C1: atlas, C2: axis) are unique and allow the head to rotate and nod.
Thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12): Have costal facets for rib attachment.
Lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5): Larger bodies for weight-bearing.
Sacrum: Forms the posterior wall of the pelvis.
- Auricular surface: articulates with the ilium.
- Sacral canal: continuation of the vertebral canal.
- Sacral foramina: openings for nerves to pass through.
Coccyx: Tailbone, fused remnants of embryonic vertebrae..
Sternum: Located at the front of the chest:
- Manubrium: upper section.
- Body: middle section.
- Xiphoid process: lower, pointed section.
Ribs: Attachment points for the rib cage:
- True ribs: First seven pairs, attach directly to the sternum.
- False ribs: Pairs 8-10, indirectly attach to the sternum via cartilage.
- Floating ribs: Pairs 11 and 12, do not attach to the sternum.

Appendicular Skeleton

Pectoral girdle: Connects the upper limbs to the axial skeleton.
- Clavicle (collarbone): S-shaped bone, connects to the sternum.
- Scapula (shoulder blade): Flat, triangular bone.
  - Coracoid process: Provides attachment points for muscles.
  - Glenoid cavity: Articulates with the head of the humerus.
  - Spine: Prominent ridge on the posterior surface.
Upper limb:
- Humerus (upper arm bone):
  - Head: Articulates with the glenoid cavity.
  - Greater tubercle: Lateral bony prominence.
  - Lesser tubercle: Medial bony prominence.
  - Intertubercular sulcus (bicipital groove): Groove between the tubercles, accommodates the biceps tendon.
  - Anatomical neck: Junction between the head and the shaft.
  - Surgical neck: Narrow part of the humerus, prone to fractures.
  - Deltoid tuberosity: Roughened area for the deltoid muscle attachment.
  - Capitulum: Articulates with the radius.
  - Trochlea: Articulates with the ulna.
  - Medial epicondyle: Bony prominence on the medial side.
  - Lateral epicondyle: Bony prominence on the lateral side.
  - Olecranon fossa: Depression on the posterior surface, receives the olecranon process of the ulna.
- Radius (thumb side):
  - Radial tuberosity: Attachment site for the biceps muscle.
- Ulna (pinky finger side):
  - Olecranon process: Forms the bony point of the elbow.
  - Coronoid process: Anterior prominence that articulates with the humerus.
  - Ulnar notch: Articulates with the humerus.
  - Styloid process: Distal projection.
- Carpals (wrist bones): Eight bones arranged in two rows.
- Metacarpals (hand bones): Five bones, numbered I-V (thumb to pinky).
- Phalanges (finger bones): Two in each finger (proximal and distal), three in the thumb (proximal, middle, distal).
Pelvic girdle: Made up of two coxal bones, it connects the lower limbs to the axial skeleton.
- Coxal bones: Each is formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis.
  - Ilium: Largest and uppermost portion.
    - Auricular surface: Articulates with the sacrum.
    - Lesser sciatic notch: Allows for passage of nerves and vessels.
  - Ischium: Posterior portion of the coxal bone.
    - Ischial tuberosity: Weight-bearing area when sitting.
  - Pubis: Anterior portion of the coxal bone.
    - Pubic symphysis: Cartilaginous joint between the two pubic bones.
Lower limb:
- Femur (thigh bone):
  - Head: Articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis.
  - Greater trochanter: Lateral bony prominence.
  - Lesser trochanter: Medial bony prominence.
  - Medial and lateral condyles: Distal projections for knee joint articulation.
  - Medial and lateral epicondyles: Bony prominences on the medial and lateral sides.
  - Patellar surface: Area on the anterior distal femur for articulation with the patella.
- Patella (kneecap): Triangular bone embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps muscle.
- Tibia (shinbone): Larger and medial bone of the lower leg.
  - Lateral condyle: Articulates with the femur.
  - Intercondylar eminence: Ridge that lies between the condyles.
  - Tibial tuberosity: Roughened area for the patellar ligament attachment.
- Fibula (lateral bone of the lower leg): Smaller than the tibia, does not bear weight.
  - Head: Articulates with the tibia.
  - Medial malleolus: Bony projection on the medial side of the ankle.
  - Lateral malleolus: Bony projection on the lateral side of the ankle.
- Tarsals (ankle bones): Seven bones
- Metatarsals (foot bones): Five bones, numbered I - V (big toe to little toe).
- Phalanges (toe bones): Two in each toe (proximal, distal), three in the big toe (proximal, middle, distal).