Anatomy & Physiology Need To Know

Front 1

Distal Phalange

Back 1

Last phalange of the finger bearing a nail.

Front 2

Proximal Phalange

Back 2

First phalange of the finger; it is connected to the metacarpus.

Front 3

Middle Phalange

Back 3

Second phalange of the finger between the proximal and distal phalanges. The thumb does not have a middle phalange.

Front 4

Metacarpal

Back 4

Each of the five bones forming the metacarpus. The metacarpal bone of the thumb is very mobile.

Front 5

Hamate

Back 5

Bone of the anterior row of the carpus, articulating especially with the metacarpal bones of the third and little fingers.

Front 6

Triquetral

Back 6

Last bone in the posterior row of the carpus, set opposite the thumb.

Front 7

Pisiform

Back 7

Bone of the posterior row of the carpus; it is the smallest of the carpal bones.

Front 8

Lunate

Back 8

Bone of the posterior row of the carpus articulating especially with the radius to form the wrist.

Front 9

Trapezium

Back 9

Bone of the anterior row of the carpus articulating especially with the metacarpal bone of the thumb.

Front 10

Trapezoid

Back 10

Bone of the anterior row of the carpus articulating especially with the metacarpal bone of the index finger.

Front 11

Capitate

Back 11

Bone of the anterior row of the carpus articulating especially with the metacarpal bone of the middle finger.

Front 12

Scaphoid

Back 12

The largest bone in the posterior row of the carpus articulating with the radius to form the wrist.

Front 13

Radius

Back 13

Long bone making up the outer section of the forearm; it is connected especially to the carpal bones to form the wrist joint.

Front 14

Ulna

Back 14

Lone bone forming the inner portion of the forearm, and articulating especially with the radius.

Front 15

Carpus

Back 15

All eight short articulated bones, laid out in two rows, forming the wrist and giving it a wide range of motion; it connects the radius to the metacarpus.

Front 16

Metacarpus

Back 16

All five long bones forming the palm of the hand; they link the anterior row of the carpus to the proximal phalanges.

Front 17

Phalanges

Back 17

Articulated bones forming the skeleton of the fingers; each finger has three, while the thumb has two.

Front 18

Hand

Back 18

Terminal part of the forearm with a tactile and prehensile function and a thumb opposable to the other fingers. The skeleton of the hand has 27 bones.

Front 19

Proximal Phalange

Back 19

First phalange of the toe; it is joined to the metatarsus.

Front 20

1st Cuneiform

Back 20

Bone of the anterior row of the tarsus articulating especially with the metatarsal bone of the big tow and the scaphold bone.

Front 21

2nd Cuneiform

Back 21

Bone of the anterior row of the tarsus articulating especially with the metatarsal bone of the second toe and the scaphold bone.

Front 22

Navicular

Back 22

Bone of the posterior row of the tarsus articulating especially with the talus and the three cuneiforms.

Front 23

Talus

Back 23

Short bone of the tarsus that, with the calcaneus, ensures rotation of the ankle and, with the tibia and fibula, flexion and extension of the foot.

Front 24

Calcaneus

Back 24

Bone of the posterior row of the tarsus forming the protuberance of the heel and supporting a large portion of the body's weight; the Achilles tendon is attached to it.

Front 25

Cuboid

Back 25

Bone of the anterior row of the tarsus articulating especially with the metatarsal bones of the two last toes.

Front 26

Lateral Cuneiform

Back 26

Bone of the anterior row of the tarsus articulating especially with the metatarsal bone of the third toe.

Front 27

Fibula

Back 27

Long bone forming the outer portion of the leg; it is connected especially to the bones of the tarsus to form the ankle joint.

Front 28

Tibia

Back 28

Long bone forming the inner portion of the leg; it is connected especially to the tarsus to form the ankle joint.

Front 29

Tarsus

Back 29

All seven short articulated bones, laid out in two rows, making up the heel and the ankle; it connects the tibia and the fibula to the metatarsus.

Front 30

Metatarsus

Back 30

All five long bones that make up the sole of the foot; it connects the anterior row of the tarsus to the proximal phalanges.

Front 31

Phalanges

Back 31

Articulated bones forming the skeleton of the toes. Each toe has three, while the big toe has only two.

Front 32

Distal Phalange

Back 32

Last phalange of the toe bearing a nail.

Front 33

Proximal Phalange

Back 33

First phalange of the toe; it is joined to the metatarsus.

Front 34

Metatarsal

Back 34

Each of the five bones forming the metatarsus.

Front 35

Middle Phalange

Back 35

Second phalange of the toe between the proximal and distal phalanges. The big toe does not have a middle phalange.

Front 36

Foot

Back 36

Terminal part of the leg enabling upright stance and walking. The skeleton of the foot is made up of 26 bones.

Front 37

Medullary Cavity

Back 37

Cylindrical central cavity of the bone containing the bone marrow; this canal encloses lipid-rich yellow bone marrow.

Front 38

Haversian Canal

Back 38

Lengthwise central canal of the osteon enclosing blood vessels and nerves.

Front 39

Periosteum

Back 39

Fibrous membrane rich in blood vessels that envelopes the bone, except at the articular surfaces; it contributes especially to the bone's growth in thickness.

Front 40

Volkmann's Canals

Back 40

Transverse canals of the compact bone enclosing blood vessels and nerves; they connect the Haversian canals with each other and with the medullary cavity and periosteurm.

Front 41

Osteon

Back 41

Elementary cylindrical structure of the compact bone made up of four to 20 concentric bone plates that surround the Haversian canal.

Front 42

Concentric Lameliae

Back 42

Bony layers of osteon made of collagen fibers; they are arranged concentrically around the Haversian canal and form as the bones grow.

Front 43

Articular Cartilage

Back 43

Smooth resistant elastic tissue covering the terminal part of the bone where it articulates with another bone; it facilitates movement and absorbs shocks.

Front 44

Spongy Bone

Back 44

Tissue made of bony compartments separated by cavities filled with bone marrow, blood vessels and nerves; this structure gives bones their lightness.

Front 45

Blood Vessel

Back 45

Channel in the bone through which the blood circulates, carrying the nutrients and mineral saltes the bone requires.

Front 46

Compact Bone

Back 46

Dense bone tissue composed of osteons, which resist pressure and shocks and protect the spongy tissue; it forms especially the diaphysis of the long bones.

Front 47

Bone Marrow

Back 47

Soft substance contained in bone cavities, producing blood cells; marrow is red in children, yellow in the long bones of adults.

Front 48

Structure of a Long Bone

Back 48

Long bone: elongated bone consisting of a body (diaphysis) and two terminal parts (epiphyses), such as the leg and arm bones (femur, radius, phalanges and others).

Front 49

Metaphysis

Back 49

Part of the bone between the epiphysis and the diaphysis; it contains the connecting cartilage enabling the bone to grow, and disappears at adulthood.

Front 50

Diaphysis

Back 50

Elongated hollow central portion of the bone located between the methaphyses; it is made of compact tissue and encloses the medullary cavity.

Front 51

Distal Epiphysis

Back 51

Enlarged terminal part of the bone, farthest from the center of the body, made of spongy tissue and articulating with neighboring bones.

Front 52

Proximal Epiphysis

Back 52

Enlarged terminal part of the bone, nearest the center of the body, made of spongy tissue and articulating with neighboring bones.

Front 53

Metaphysis

Back 53

Part of the bone between the epiphysis and the diaphysis; it contains the connecting cartilage enabling the bone to grow, and disappears at adulthood.

Front 54

Elbow

Back 54

Example of a hinged joint, between the arm and forearm.

Front 55

Humerus

Back 55

Long arm bone articulating with the scapula to form the shoulder, and with the radius and the ulna to form the elbow.

Front 56

Ulna

Back 56

Long bone forming the inner porting of the forearm articulating especially with the humerus.

Front 57

Pivot Joint

Back 57

Enables rotation around a lengthwise axis: the cylindrical terminal part of a bone is encased in a hollow cylinder. Examples include the tibia and the fibula.

Front 58

Ball-and-Socket Joint

Back 58

Allows movement along three axes, such as in the elbow: flexion and externsion, rotation, and adduction (arm drawing near the trunk) and abduction (arm drawing away from the trunk).

Front 59

Hinge Joint

Back 59

Enables flexion and extension along a single axis. The elbow is a particularly good example: the round terminal part of the humerus turns in the hollow of the ulna.

Front 60

Shoulder

Back 60

Example of a ball-and-socket joint, between the humerus and the thorax.

Front 61

Humerus

Back 61

Long arm bone articulating with the scapula to form the shoulder, and with the radius and the ulna to form the elbow.

Front 62

Scapula

Back 62

Large thin flat bone articulating with the clavicle and the humerus to form the shoulder; numerous shoulder and back muscles are attached to it.

Front 63

Leg

Back 63

Example of a pivot joint, between the fibula and the tibia.

Front 64

Fibula

Back 64

Long bone forming the outer portion of the leg articulating especially with the tibia.

Front 65

Tibia

Back 65

Long bone forming the inner portion of the let articulating especially with the fibula.

Front 66

Types of Synovial Joints

Back 66

Joints bounded by a fibrous capsule whose inner membrane secretes a viscous lubricating liquid (synovia), thus allowing a wide range of motion.

Front 67

Condyloid Joint

Back 67

An example is the wrist, which the hand can move on two axes: flexion and extension; it can also be tilted sideways (toward the radius and ulna).

Front 68

Saddle Joint

Back 68

Resembles the condyloid joint but allows a wider range of motion; this type of joint is rare.

Front 69

Thumb

Back 69

The thumb is an example of a saddle joint.

Front 70

Metacarpal

Back 70

Each of the five bones forming the metacarpus. The metacarpal bone of the thumb is very mobile.

Front 71

Trapezium

Back 71

Bone of the anterior row of the carpus articulating especially with the metacarpal bone of the thumb.

Front 72

Gliding Joint

Back 72

Surfaces of these joints are relatively flat and not very mobile; they allow only a narrow gliding range(e.g., vertebrae, certain bones of the carpus).

Front 73

Tarsus

Back 73

Gliding joints that ensure the displacement of certain bones of the tarsus.

Front 74

Navicular

Back 74

Bone of the posterior row of the tarsus articulating especially with the talus and the three cuneiforms.

Front 75

2nd Cuneiform

Back 75

Bone of the anterior row of the tarsus articulating especially with the metatarsal bone of the second toe and the scaphoid bone.

Front 76

1st Cuneiform

Back 76

Bone of the anterior row of the tarsus articulating especially with the metatarsal bone of the big toe and the scaphoid bone.

Front 77

Wrist

Back 77

Condyloid joint of the hand (carpus) articulating with the forearm (radius); it mainly enables the hand to flex and extend.

Front 78

Scaphoid

Back 78

Bone of the posterior row of the carpus articulating especially with the radius to form the wrist.

Front 79

Radius

Back 79

Long bone making up the outer section of the forearm; it is connected especially to the carpal bones to form the wrist joint.

Front 80

Lunate

Back 80

Bone of the posterior row of the carpus articulating especially with the radius to form the wrist.

Front 81

Types of Synovial Joints (2)

Back 81

Joints bounded by a fibrous capsule whose inner membrane secretes a viscous lubricating liquid (synovia), thus allowing a wide range of motion.

Front 82

Atlas

Back 82

First cervical vertebra supporting the head and supported by the axis.

Front 83

Axis

Back 83

Second cervical vertebra supporting the atlas; it allows the head to rotate.

Front 84

Cervical Vertebra (7)

Back 84

Bony part of the neck forming the upper terminal part of the spinal column.

Front 85

Thoracic Vertebra (12)

Back 85

Bony part supporting the ribs located between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae.

Front 86

Lumbar Vertebra (5)

Back 86

Bony part larger than the other vertebrae located between the dorsal vertebrae and the sacrum; it supports a major portion of the body's weight!

Front 87

Sacrum

Back 87

Bone made of five fused vertebrae located between the lumbar and coccyx vertebrae.

Front 88

Coccyx

Back 88

Bone made up of four to six fused vertebrae in the lower terminal part of the spinal column, and articulating with the sacrum.

Front 89

Intervertebral Foramen

Back 89

Orifice located between two contiguous vertebrae on each side of the column allowing nerves to pass through.

Front 90

Intervertebral Disk

Back 90

Flat rounded cartilaginous structure separating two vertebrae; its elasticity allows the vertebral column to move.

Front 91

Vertebral Body

Back 91

Anterior bony cylinder of a vertebra surrounded by two transverse processes.

Front 92

Transverse Process

Back 92

Bony protuberance extending laterally from each side of the vertebrae; the muscles are attached to it.

Front 93

Spinal Column

Back 93

The vertebral column is made up of different kinds of articulated bones (vertebrae) supporting the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord.

Front 94

Irregular Bone

Back 94

Bones of varying shapes and sizes, such as the vertebrae and certain bones of the skull or pelvis.

Front 95

Flat Bone

Back 95

Thin bones that protect certain organs, including most of the bones of the skull as well as the scapula.

Front 96

Short Bone

Back 96

Bones shaped somewhat like cubes that facilitate flexibility of the joints; examples include the bones of the wrist and ankle.

Front 97

Long Bone

Back 97

Elongated bone to which powerful muscles, such as those of the leg and arm, are attached.

Front 98

Types of Bones

Back 98

Bones; rigid structures connected by joints to which muscles are attached. The skeleton has more than 200 bones divided into four major groups: long bone, short bone, irregular bone, and flat bone).

Front 99

Temporal Bone

Back 99

Flat skull bone that protects mainly the organs responsible for hearing and equilibrium.

Front 100

Frontal Bone

Back 100

Flat skull bone forming the forehead and top of the eye sockets, and articulating especially with the parietal.

Front 101

Zygomatic Bone

Back 101

Bone forming the cheek pouch and the outer edge of the eye socket.

Front 102

Maxilla

Back 102

Toothed bone forming the upper jaw; it helps to form the palate, eye sockets and nasal fossae.

Front 103

Mandible

Back 103

Movable toothed bone forming the lower jaw; it is the only movable bone in the head and its articulation with the temporal bone allows the jaw to move.

Front 104

Occipital Bone

Back 104

Flat skull bone articulating with the parietal bone and atlas (first cervical vertebra), among others; it makes up the largest portion of the base of the skull.

Front 105

Parietal Bone

Back 105

Flat cranial bone articulating with the frontal, occipital, temporal and sphenoid bones; the two parietal bones form the largest portion of the dome of the skull.

Front 106

Lambdoid Suture

Back 106

Immovable joint made of fibrous tissue connecting the occipital and the two parietal bones.

Front 107

External Auditory Meatus

Back 107

Canal through which sounds collected by the auricle (outer section of the ear) reach the tympanic cavity, a hollow in the temporal bone.

Front 108

Mastoid Process

Back 108

Protruding cone-shaped part of the temporal bone located behind the outer ear. Certain neck muscles, such as the sternocleidomatoid, are attached to it.

Front 109

Styloid Process

Back 109

Elongated protuberance of the temporal bone; several tongue muscles are attached to it.

Front 110

Anterior Nasal Spine

Back 110

Bony middle protuberance of the jawbone beneath the nasal fossai; it supports the cartilage of the dividing wall of the nose.

Front 111

Nasal Bone

Back 111

Small flat bone making up the skeleton of the nose; the two nasal bones are joined along the bridge of the nose.

Front 112

Sphenoid Bone

Back 112

Bone located behind the nasal fossae; it articulates with all the cranial bones.

Front 113

Squamous Suture

Back 113

Immobile joint made of fibrous tissue connecting the parietal and temporal bones.

Front 114

Coronal Suture

Back 114

Immobile joint made of fibrous tissue connecting the frontal bone and the two parietal bones.

Front 115

Lateral View of Skull

Back 115

Skull: bony structure enclosing and protecting the brain. The eight cranial bones in an adult are fused to each other by means of sutures.

Front 116

Frontal Bone

Back 116

Flat skull bone forming the forehead and top of the eye sockets, and articulating especially with the parietal.

Front 117

Coronal Suture

Back 117

Joint connecting the frontal and parietal bones on each side of the skull; it ossifies during the growth years (the anterior fontanelle closes up).

Front 118

Anterior Fontanelle

Back 118

Membranous space between the frontal and two parietal bones; it closes usually at the age of two or three years. This is the largest of the fontanelles.

Front 119

Parietal Bone

Back 119

Flat cranial bone fusing especially to the frontal and occipital bones during the growth years.

Front 120

Posterior Fontanelle

Back 120

Membranous space between the occipital and two parietal bones; it closes at about the age of two or three months. This fontanelle is smaller than the anterior fontanelle.

Front 121

Occipital Bone

Back 121

Flat cranial bone fusing especially to the parietal bone and atlas (first cervical vertebra) during the growth years.

Front 122

Mastoid Fontanelle

Back 122

Membranous space between the parietal, occipital and temporal bones; it closes at about the age of 18 months. This fontanelle is smaller than the sphenoidal fontanelle.

Front 123

Sphenoidal Fontanelle

Back 123

Membranous space between the frontal, parietal, temporal and sphenoid bones; it closes at about the age of two or three months.

Front 124

Child's Skull

Back 124

The skull bones of the fetus and child are separated by membranous spaces (fontanelles). They disappear during the course of ossification.