Bones demonstrate the relationship between structure and function as well as any biological structures. The function of many of the following features can be deduced by noting its structure and its relationship with other bones and surrounding features. You will encounter the following features:
fissure a space or gap between two bones
foramen a hole through a bone, often for a vessel or a nerve
process a projection from a bone, often for articulation or muscle attachment
fossa a pit or depression in a bone
spine a bony ridge along a bone
condyle a knuckle-like articulating knob at the end of a bone
Study, illustrate, and label the following bones, one illustration per page. Handle the bones minimally and respectfully, they are real and precious.
Human skull, front view:
(See handout for skull features.)
orbits (house eyes)
superior orbital fissure (vessels&nerves)
inferior orbital fissure
optic foramen (for optic nerve)
infraorbital foramen
zygomatic bone ("cheek bone")
nasal cavity
perpendicular plate (nasal septum)
inferior concha
maxilla
mandible
mental foramen (mental = chin)
Scapula, lateral view:
spine of the scapula
acromion process
coracoid process
glenoid fossa (articulates with humerus)
Cervical vertebra, top view:
bifurcated spinous process
transverse process
transverse foramen
articular facet
vertebral foramen
centrum
Os coxa, lateral view:
ilium (flat portion)
anterior superior iliac spine
pubis
ischium
acetabulum (articulates with head of femur)
obturator foramen
greater sciatic notch
Femur, front view:
head
neck
greater trochanter (trochanter = runner)
lesser trochanter
medial condyle (condyle = knuckle)
lateral condyle
Knee joint, lateral view:
lateral condyle, femur
tibial tuberosity
head of the fibula
neck of the fibula
cruciate ligaments
patella
patellar ligament