BONY LANDMARKS Terminology of anatomy physiology

B.Sc Nursing Anatomy physiology unit 1

1. Bony landmarks

2. Bony landmarks Bony landmarks are also known as bone markings. There are several different types of bone markings or landmarks that can be found throughout the bones of the skeleton. These include terms such as crest, fossa, process, and condyle. These terms are descriptors of bony anatomy and can be found in different bones such as the iliac crest and the intertrochanter crest of the femur.

3. Epiphysis The term  epiphysis  can be traced back to its root meaning. E pi- means above or upon . The suffix - physis refers to growth , referencing the growth plate . In a  long bone  (bones that make up the arms and legs), the epiphysis is the rounded ends of the bone. An example would be the circular ends of the  humerus  closest to the elbow.

4. Diaphysis The term diaphysis can also be traced back to its Latin stems. The dia - means through as in the word diameter. The  diaphysis of a long bone  is the shaft of the bone which travels "through" both ends of a long bone. An example is the diaphysis of the humerus, the shaft of the upper arm bone.

5. Tubercle T ubercle is a small, rounded projection protruding from a bone. Tubercles typically connect tendons to muscles. An example is Gerdy's tubercle that sits to the  anterior and lateral surface of the tibia, just below the  patella . Other examples of tubercles include the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus.

6. Tuberosity A tuberosity is a small, roughened process on a bone and is typically associated with muscle attachment points. An example is the tibial tuberosity on the anterior and proximal portion of the tibia. The tibial tuberosity is a rough spot that can be felt below the patella and serves as an attachment point for the quadriceps tendon.

7. Process A process protrudes from a bone and serves as an attachment point for tendons and ligaments. There are many examples of bony processes, including the spine. The spine has spinous processes which stick out posteriorly and may be noticeable on a person who is undernourished or thin-skinned.

8. Process A process is a bulging bony outgrowth of a larger bone. An example is the  mastoid process , which is easily palpable from behind the ear, and to which many head muscles are attached.

9. Condyle Condyles are rounded knobs that form articulations with other bones. They often provide structural support to the articular surface, helping to absorb the force exerted at the joint. The  lateral condyle of   femur  is one example, which is easily palpable at the  knee .

10. Epicondyle Epicondyle is a bony area on or above a condyle. It serves mainly as an area for a muscle or ligament attachment. Example:  medial epicondyle of  humerus .

11. Protuberance Protuberances, similar to processes, are swelling, bulging or protruding parts of bone. The  external  occipital  protuberance  is one example. Jutting out from the midline of the external surface, it is palpable from the back of the  head .

12. Trochanter Th is landmark is present only in the femur and it refers to a very large, blunt, irregularly shaped process   of the femur that serves as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments. On the  femur  there is a  greater trochanter  and a less prominent  lesser trochanter .

13. Spine The spine (or spinous process) is a sharp, slender projection of the bone which is useful for attachment of muscles or ligaments. Example:  spine of  sphenoid bone .

14. Linea Apera (line) The term linea refers to a subtle, long, and narrow impression which distinguishes itself in elevation, color or texture from surrounding tissues. The   linea aspera of femur  is one example . Found on the posterior surface, it consists of medial and lateral lips diverging at its superior and inferior ends.

15. Facet The facet is a flat smooth area of the bone which serves as an articular surface. Example:  acromial facet of  clavicle .

16. Crests and ridges Crests can be described as prominent, raised edges of a bone. They are of medium thickness and often found at sites where connective tissue connects muscle and bone. The   iliac crest  is one example. Found inferior to the quadratus lumborum, for which it serves as the origin point, it is palpable along its entire length, and is thicker at the extremities than the center .

17. Fossa and fovea A fossa is a depression in the bone surface which is often broad and shallow . It may support brain structures, or receive another articulating bone. The   temporal  fossa  is one example. It is one of the largest landmarks on the skull, serving as an origin site for the  temporal muscle . Fovea refers to a pit or depression - similar to a fossa, but generally much smaller. An example is the  fovea capitis , found in the center of the head of the femur.

18. Notch and sulcus Notches (or incisures) can be defined as indentations at the edge of a structure, like a cleft. The  scapular notch , which forms a deep, distinctive depression along the superolateral border of the  scapula , is one example. A sulcus is a furrow or fissure usually specific to the surface of the brain, but also in bones and other organs. When referring to bones, sulci are very often referred to as grooves . Grooves often trace the length of nerves or vessels, providing space to prevent compression from surrounding muscles or external forces. An example is the  groove for the  transverse sinus , and preauricular sulcus .

19. THANKYOU