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Axial and Appendicular Skeletons

Author: Sophia
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what's covered
In this lesson, you will learn about the axial and appendicular skeleton. The skeleton can be divided into these two major parts, the axial skeleton that runs along the main superior to inferior body axis, and the appendicular skeleton that supports the appendages (limbs). Specifically, this lesson will cover:

Table of Contents

1. Overview of the Axial and Appendicular Skeleton

The skeletal system is often divided into two major parts: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton runs along the main superior to inferior body axis, from the head through the vertebral column.

The figure below shows the axial skeleton. Note that it includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

The figure below shows the appendicular skeleton. Note how it includes the appendages (limbs) and the girdles that support them. The appendicular skeleton includes the limbs, shoulder girdle, and pelvis.

Diagram of the human appendicular skeleton, highlighting in red the shoulder girdle, arms, hands, pelvic girdle, legs, and feet. The title at the top reads 'Appendicular skeleton,' and a label at the bottom reads 'Human appendicular skeleton.

Note several combining forms related to the skeletal divisions:

  • Crani/o (pertaining to the cranium/skull)
  • Vertebr/o (pertaining to the vertebrae of the vertebral column/spine)
  • Cost/o (pertaining to the ribs)
  • Pelv/i (pertaining to the pelvis)

When learning about the skeleton, you will also see terms that describe bone features and markings. These terms may appear in descriptions used for imaging or surgical procedures, and you will often see them if you take an anatomy class or otherwise do work that requires understanding anatomical structures. These describe structures such as protrusions to which muscles attach and openings (such as an opening through which something can pass).

Examples of these terms include:

  • Articulation: a place where two bones meet (e.g., knee joint).
  • Head: a prominent rounded surface (e.g., femoral head).
  • Condyle: a rounded surface (e.g., medial condyle).
  • Process: a prominence feature extending from bone (e.g., mastoid process or spinous process).
  • Foramen: a hole through bone (e.g., the foramen magnum in the skull).
  • Sinus: an air-filled space in bone (e.g., the paranasal sinuses).
  • Spine: a sharp process (e.g., the scapular spine).
  • Fossa: an elongated basin (e.g., olecranon fossa and cranial fossae).
  • Tuberosity: a rough, elevated surface (e.g., ischial tuberosity and tibial tuberosity).

Click the plus sign to see a summary of key root words related to bone features. These terms can help you understand and learn the names of individual bones.
Marking/Feature Description Example
Articulations Where two bones meet Knee joint
Head Prominent rounded surface Head of femur
Facet Flat surface Vertebrae
Condyle Rounded surface Occipital condyles
Projections Raised markings Spinous process of the vertebrae
Protuberance Protruding Chin
Process Prominence feature extending from bone Transverse process of vertebra
Spine Sharp process Ischial spine
Tubercle Small, rounded process Tubercle of humerus
Tuberosity Rough, elevated surface Deltoid tuberosity
Line Slight, elongated ridge Temporal lines of the parietal bones
Crest Ridge Iliac crest
Holes Holes and depressions Foramen (holes through which blood vessels can pass through)
Fossa Elongated basin Mandibular fossa
Fovea Small pit Fovea capitis on the head of the femur
Sulcus Groove Sigmoid sulcus of the temporal bones
Canal Passage in bone Auditory canal
Fissure Slit through bone Auricular fissure
Foramen Hole through bone Foramen magnum in the occipital bone
Meatus Opening into canal External auditory meatus
Sinus Air-filled space in bone Nasal sinus

The illustration below shows examples of some of these bone features. Note some of the major examples of processes formed where tendons or ligaments attach and processes formed to articulate with adjacent bones. For example, the rounded head of the femur has a small depression labeled as fovea capitis and rounded protrusions at the bottom labeled as condyles with a depression labeled as facet between them. Note that the humerus also has a rounded head on top. On the head of the humerus, note the tubercle protruding toward the viewer and the small groove labeled as sulcus. It is also important to note the example of elevation (the rim of the pelvis protruding toward the viewer) and depression (the shallow hollow interior below the crest labeled as fossa. The sinuses are examples of openings in the skull.

Four images show bone-surface terminology with four labeled examples. Examples are shown on a femur, humerus, and skull. The sinuses are two roughly triangular regions in the skull, one above each eye, with a side of each triangle running along the top of an eye. A canal is a small opening on the lower medial side of each eye. A small groove above each eye is labeled as foramen. A small opening on the medial side of each eye where the eyelids meet is labeled as fissure.

The femur has two notable protrusions just below where it articulates with the hip: the greater and lesser trochanters. Muscles attach to these protrusions. Some people have an additional third trochanter (Bolanowski et al., 2005). You can see the greater trochanter and lesser trochanter in the image below.

Illustration of the proximal (upper) end of the right femur. It has a rounded articular surface above a narrowed region that extends a short distance to the lower right, where there is a lateral protrusion labeled as the greater trochanter. Below, a small, rounded protrusion toward the viewer is labeled as lesser trochanter.

2. Axial Skeleton

As mentioned, the axial skeleton includes the cranium, vertebral column, and associated structures. It forms the central axis of the body and includes the bones of the head, neck, chest, and back. It serves to protect the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs. It also serves as the attachment site for muscles that move the head, neck, back, shoulder, and hip joints. The axial skeleton includes the cranium, hyoid, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

Although learning all of the bones of the skull is beyond this course, it is worth knowing certain bones. For example, the mandible is the upper jaw, the maxilla is the lower jaw, and the zygomatic bone is the cheekbone. You can see these and other bones in the figure below.

iagram showing an anterior view of skull with the coronal suture across the top. Below is the glabella, followed by the supraorbital margin, which contains the supraorbital foramen. The frontal bone forms the forehead; the parietal bone lies farther back. Each eye socket (orbit) contains the optic canal near its rear, the superior orbital fissure above, and the inferior orbital fissure below; the lacrimal bone occupies part of the inner wall. Lateral to the orbit are the temporal bone, sphenoid bone, and zygomatic bone. Immediately beneath the orbit is the infraorbital foramen. The ethmoid bone, nasal bone, and palatine bone frame the nasal region. Inside the nasal cavity are the middle and inferior nasal conchae. The nasal septum is divided into the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone above and the vomer bone below.

Important skull bones include:

  • Zygomatic: Cheekbone
  • Maxillary: Upper jaw and hard palate
  • Palatine: Pair of L-shaped bones between the maxilla and sphenoid that form the hard palate, walls of the nasal cavity, and the orbital floor of the eye
  • Nasal: Pair of bones that form the bridge of the nose
  • Lacrimal: Walls of the inner (medial) orbit (i.e., eye socket)
  • Inferior conchae: Lower lateral walls of the nasal cavity
  • Vomer: Bone that separates the left and right nasal cavity
  • Mandible: Lower jawbone and only movable bone of the skull

Note that newborns have membranous gaps between the skull bones called fontanelles. These are sometimes informally called soft spots. Fontanelles allow the skull to move during birth and typically close by 18 months of age (Children’s Hospital Colorado, 2022). Click through the images below to see a view of anterior and posterior fontanelles from above, the fontanelles from the side, and the top of a 1-month-old baby’s head with a healthy, normal anterior fontanelle visible.

superior (top-down) view of a newborn skull, showing a diamond-shaped space at the front labeled “Frontal fontanel” and a smaller space at the rear labeled “Occipital fontanel.” A narrow midline suture runs between these two fontanels, separating the left and right halves of the developing cranial bones.

Anterior and posterior fontanelles

ateral (side) view of a newborn skull displaying three labeled fontanelles. The large gap at the top front of the head is marked “Frontal fontanel.” Farther back and slightly lower, a smaller opening above the temporal area is labeled “Sphenoidal fontanel,” and another soft region behind the ear level is labeled “Mastoid fontanel.” Thin suture lines radiate between these fontanels, outlining the boundaries of the developing cranial bones.

Side view of fontanelles

A top view of a newborn baby’s head. There is a slight depression visible near the middle of the baby’s head.

Normal infant anterior fontanelle 






Another feature of the skull is the paranasal sinuses. Sinuses are openings. In this case, the paranasal sinuses are openings that contain air. You may be familiar with them from having a sinus infection at some point, as these infections are common. 



Click through the images below to see views of the paranasal sinuses and other features of the skull, including additional bones. 



 




An anterior view of a woman’s face shows the four paranasal sinus regions. A label at the lower forehead points to the frontal sinus. A second label that angles inward from the side of the nose marks the sphenoid sinus, which lies deeper behind the nasal cavity. A third label, extending to the area between the eyes, identifies the ethmoid air cells. A final label directed toward the cheek area designates the maxillary sinus.   

Anterior view of paranasal sinuses
  



A lateral (side) view of a woman’s head shows the four paranasal sinus regions. A label at the lower forehead points to the frontal sinus above the eye. A second label angles toward a space deep behind the nasal cavity to identify the sphenoid sinus. A third label extends to a cluster of small cavities between the eye and nose, marking the ethmoid air cells. A final label directed toward the cheek area, below the eye, designates the maxillary sinus.  

Side view of paranasal sinuses
  



Lateral (side) view of an adult skull. A large bracket spanning the rounded upper and back portions of the skull is labeled “Brain case,” indicating the cranium that encloses the brain. A second bracket outlines the front, lower portion of the skull—from the nasal region through the jaw—and is labeled “Facial bones”.  

Side view of facial bones
  



An anterior view of the skull shows three boxed regions with labels. The upper boxes outline the bony eye sockets and are labeled “Orbit.” A central box surrounds the opening behind the nose and is labeled “Nasal Cavity.” A lower box frames the mouth opening and upper teeth and is labeled “Oral Cavity.”  

Front view of facial bones
  



Lateral (side) view of a skull with the outline of the brain shaded inside an opening labeled as the cranial cavity. The cranial cavity occupies most of the rounded upper and rear portion of the skull, and the brain fully occupies the cranial cavity.”  

Side view of cranial cavity
  



An illustration showing bones that form the cranium, using two perspectives. On the left is an anterior (front) view of the skull. Lines point to the frontal bone across the forehead, a parietal bone near the upper side of the skull, the sphenoid bone just behind the eye socket, the temporal bone at the temple region, and the ethmoid bone positioned at the inner corner of the eye socket. On the right is a right-lateral (side) view of the same skull. Lines identify the frontal bone at the forehead, a parietal bone on the upper side, the temporal bone over the ear area, the sphenoid bone in front of the temporal region, the ethmoid bone between the eye socket and nasal area, and the occipital bone at the back of the head.   

Skull bones
  








The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge joint between the temporal bone and the mandible that allows for the opening, closing, protrusion, retraction, and lateral movement of the lower jaw. Protrusion moves the mandible forward, and retraction pulls the mandible backward towards the neck.  
















did you know





A variety of TMJ disorders can cause pain. These disorders affect the joint and related muscles, which are heavily used. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including problems with jaw occlusion (meaning that the upper and lower teeth do not line up correctly). About 5–12% of people are believed to be affected by these disorders, which can lead to distorted jaw movements and can affect speaking and eating. It has been estimated that 60% of people have experienced related symptoms at some point, even if not diagnosed with a TMJ disorder. (Abbass et al., 2024).







The vertebral column is divided into regions, as you can see in the figure below. There are five major regions of vertebral columns: the cervical region, the thoracic region, the lumbar region, the sacral region, and the caudal region. The caudal region is found in the tail, so humans do not have these vertebrae. 



 The top diagram is of a human vertebral column side view. A heading reads “Vertebral Column.” On the left, arrows point to successive regions: cervical vertebrae in the neck, thoracic vertebrae in the upper back, lumbar vertebrae in the lower back, the sacrum in the pelvic region, and the coccygeal vertebrae forming the tailbone. On the right, bracketed lines identify the four regions of the spine from top to bottom: cervical region, thoracic region, lumbar region, and sacral region. The bottom illustration is a side view outline of a goat with its spine highlighted and five labeled regions. At the neck are the cervical vertebrae, followed by the thoracic vertebrae along the upper back, then the lumbar vertebrae over the lower back. A single bony block at the pelvis is labeled sacrum, and the short bones of the tail are labeled tail (coccygeal) vertebrae. 



In medical documentation, the vertebrae are labeled based on their region and location. For example, the cervical vertebrae are labeled C1–C7, with C1 closest to the skull. The thoracic vertebrae are labeled T1–T12 and are distinguished from lumbar vertebrae because they have attached ribs. The lumbar vertebrae are labeled L1–L5. These are located in the lower back and do not have attached ribs. The sacrum and coccyx are at the base of the spine and are not numbered. The sacrum has fused vertebrae that join with the pelvic girdle. The coccyx also has fused vertebrae. 



Summary of vertebral regions: 



 

    

  • Cervical: The first 7 vertebrae in the neck region, C1 to C7 
    • 

  • Thoracic: The next 12 vertebrae that form the outward curvature of the spine, T1 to T12 
    • 

  • Lumbar: The next 5 vertebrae that form the inner curvature of spine, L1 to L5 
    • 

  • 
Sacrum: The triangular-shaped bone at the base of the spine, formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae, a process that does not begin until after the age of 20. 
    • 

  • 
Coccyx: The tailbone, formed by the fusion of four very small coccygeal vertebrae. 
    • 



 



At the very top of the spine, there are two specialized cervical vertebrae. Click through the images below to see the location of the atlas at the top of the vertebral column (highlighted) with the axis immediately below it, as well as a view of the atlas and a view of the axis. 



 




   

Axis vertebra at top of spine 
  



  

Atlas 
  



   

Axis 
  








Here are some word parts related to the regions discussed above: 



 

    

  • 
Cervic/o refers to the neck region. 
    • 

  • 
Thorac/o refers to the thoracic region. 
    • 

  • 
Lumb/o refers to the lumbar region. 
    • 



 



You already learned that cost/o refers to the ribs. The sternum, or breastbone, at the front of the rib cage is represented by the word part stern/o. 



There are cartilaginous intervertebral discs between the vertebrae, providing cushioning. 
















did you know





With aging, intervertebral discs can gradually degenerate, which can lead to pain. There are estimates that lower back pain affects 70–80% of people at some point in their lives, which can have effects ranging from minor discomfort to significant disability. Treatments typically aim to reduce lower back pain, but this is not always sufficient. Intervertebral disc degeneration is believed to be a significant cause of lower back pain. Because current treatments are often insufficient, there is considerable interest in developing new approaches using innovative techniques (Samanta et al., 2023).







The thoracic cage, commonly known as the rib cage, forms the chest (thorax). It consists of the sternum and 12 pairs of ribs, along with their costal cartilages. The ribs are anchored posteriorly to the 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1–T12). The thoracic cage protects the heart and lungs. 



 



Note that there are three major types of ribs. True ribs articulate with the costal cartilage that articulates with the sternum. False ribs, below the true ribs, articulate with the costal cartilages of ribs above them instead of connecting directly to their own costal cartilages. The bottom two ribs are floating ribs and do not articulate with anything. You can see each of these types of ribs in the figure above. To help distinguish the different types of ribs, note that the costal cartilages are slightly lighter in color than the ribs themselves.



 










3. Appendicular Skeleton


 



The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the appendages (the arms and legs) and their supporting girdles (the pectoral and pelvic girdles, respectively). Look at the bones in the figure below. Pay particular attention to the clavicle (across the neck) and scapula (shoulder blade). Notice that there is no bony connection between the upper arms and vertebral column; in mammals, the pectoral girdle that supports the arms is held in place by muscles rather than attached directly to the vertebral column like the pelvic girdle. 



A labeled anatomical diagram of the human upper skeletal system, focusing on the arms and shoulders. Key bones such as the clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, carpus, metacarpus, and phalanges are identified. Additional labels highlight anatomical landmarks including the scapular acromion and coracoid process, humeral greater and lesser tubercles, coronoid and radial fossae, lateral and medial epicondyles, capitulum, radius head, flexor digitorum sublimis, supinator, and styloid process. 



There are useful word parts that use the names of these bones. Word parts associated with upper limb bones include: 



 

    

  • 
Humer/o means associated with the humerus (upper arm bone). 
    • 

  • 
Radi/o means associated with the radius (lower arm bone). 
    • 

  • 
Uln/o means associated with the ulna (lower arm bone). 
    • 

  • Clavicul/o means associated with the clavicle. 
    • 



 



Note that the radius and ulna are both in the forearm. 



Next, look at the figure below showing a human hand. The bones of the wrist are metacarpals, the bones of the hand are carpals, and the bones of the fingers are phalanges (singular phalanx). The same pattern is used for foot bones: the bones of the ankle are metatarsals, the bones of the foot are tarsals, and the bones of the toes are phalanges. 



 



The combining form carp/o refers to the carpals. 



Next, look at the figure below showing leg bones. The femur, the large upper leg bone, articulates with the pelvic girdle above (remember that the pelvic girdle includes the ilium, ischium, and pubis). Pay particular attention to the femur (upper leg), patella (kneecap), and tibia and fibula (lower leg). 



A labeled anatomical diagram of the human leg bones, identifying the femur, patella, tibia, and fibula. 



In the image above, you can see where the two pubic bones come together at the bottom of the pelvic girdle. This joining is called the pubic symphysis. 



There are useful word parts that use the names of these bones as well. Word parts associated with lower limb bones include: 



 

    

  • 
Femor/o means associated with the femur (upper leg bone) 
    • 

  • 
Patell/o means associated with the kneecap 
    • 

  • 
Tibi/o means associated with the tibia (lower leg bone) 
    • 

  • 
Fibul/o means associated with the fibular (lower leg bone)
    • 



 
















try it





Look at the unlabeled figure below and try to answer the following questions. 




What is the name of the structure at the top, with which the top leg bones articulate?
This structure is the pelvic girdle. You may have listed some of the individual bones of the pelvic girdle (the ilium, ischium, and pubic bone), but make sure that you also know the name of the girdle itself.










What are the bones indicated by the labels A, B, C, and D?
A is the femur, B is the patella (kneecap), C is the tibia, and D is the fibula.











A diagram of the human leg bones with four unlabeled markers. 'A' is placed on the long upper leg bone, 'B' is on the small round bone in front of the knee joint, 'C' is on the larger of the two lower leg bones, and 'D' is on the thinner bone running roughly parallel to it. 



 















summary






In this lesson, you had an overview of the axial and appendicular skeleton, learning how to divide up the skeletal system into these major components. Next, you learned more about the axial skeleton and some of the word parts associated with it. Finally, you learned about the appendicular skeleton including some important bones and related word parts. You will use these word parts extensively as you learn about medical conditions and procedures related to the skeletal system.








SOURCE: THIS TUTORIAL HAS BEEN ADAPTED FROM (1) “OPEN RN | MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY – 2E” BY ERNSTMEYER & CHRISTMAN AT OPEN RESOURCES FOR NURSING (OPEN RN). (2) "ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2E" AT OPENSTAX. ACCESS FOR FREE AT WTCS.PRESSBOOKS.PUB/MEDTERM/ AND OPENSTAX.ORG/DETAILS/BOOKS/ANATOMY-AND-PHYSIOLOGY-2E. LICENSING: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 4.0 INTERNATIONAL. 













REFERENCES



Bolanowski, W., Smiszkiewicz-Skwarska, A., Polguj, M., & Jedrzejewski, K. S. (2005). The occurrence of the third trochanter and its correlation to certain anthropometric parameters of the human femur. Folia morphologica, 64(3), 168–175.  



Anterior and Posterior Fontanelle Closures. Children’s Hospital Colorado. Fontanelle Closures | Children's Hospital Colorado 



Abbass, M. M. S., Rady, D., El Moshy, S., Ahmed Radwan, I., Wadan, A. S., Dörfer, C. E., & El-Sayed, K. M. F. (2024). The Temporomandibular Joint and the Human Body: A New Perspective on Cross Talk. Dentistry Journal, 12(11), 357. doi.org/10.3390/dj12110357 



Samanta, A., Lufkin, T., & Kraus, P. (2023). Intervertebral disc degeneration-Current therapeutic options and challenges. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1156749. doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1156749 














Attributions





    

  • 
Axial skeleton diagram | Author: LadyofHats Mariana Ruiz Villarreal | License: Public domain

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Appendicular skeleton diagram | Author: LadyofHats Mariana Ruiz Villarreal | License: Public domain

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  • 
Gray243 | Author: Henry Gray | License: Public domain

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Gray197 | Author: Henry Gray | License: Public domain

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Gray198 | Author: Henry Gray | License: Public domain

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Human anterior fontanelle 1 month dscn1449 | Author: Johann Dréo | License: Public domain

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Paranasal Sinuses ant | Author: OpenStax College | License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

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Paranasal Sinuses lat | Author: CFCF | License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

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  • 
Parts of the Skull | Author: J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix   Source: OpenStax | License: Creative Commons Attribution

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Anterior view of the Skull | Author: J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix | License: Creative Commons Attribution

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Cranial Fossae | Author: J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix | License: Creative Commons Attribution

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Anterior and lateral view of the skull | Author: J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix | License: Creative Commons Attribution

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Illu vertebral column | Author: Arcadian | License: Public domain

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Anatomy and physiology of animals Regions of a vertebral column | Author: Sunshineconnelly | License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported

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C1 lateral | Author: Anatomography | License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.1

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  • 
Gray86 | Author: Henry Vandyke Carter (1831–1897) | License: Public domain

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C1 lateral | Author: Anatomography | License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike

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Gray87 | Author: Henry Vandyke Carter (1831–1897) | License: Public domain

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Human arm bones diagram | Author: LadyofHats Mariana Ruiz Villarreal | License: Public domain

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Metacarpal bones (left hand) 01 palmar view with label | Author: BodyParts3D is made by DBCLS. Rendering the image is by was_a_bee, using Blender. | License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.1

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  • 
Human leg bones labeled | Author: The original uploader was Jecowa at English Wikipedia. | License: Public domain

    • 

















Terms to Know









Appendicular Skeleton





The part of the skeleton that supports the appendages.





Articulation





A place where two bones or bone and cartilage come together and form a connection.





Axial Skeleton





The main skeleton.





Carp/o





Pertaining to the carpals.





Cervic/o





Pertaining to the neck.





Coccyx





Tailbone.





Condyle





A rounded surface on a bone.





Cost/o





Pertaining to the ribs.





Costal Cartilage





A cartilaginous structure that connects a rib to the sternum.





Crani/o





Pertaining to the cranium.





Cranium





Skull.





Femor/o





Pertaining to the femur.





Fibul/o





Pertaining to the fibula.





Fontanelle





Membranous gaps between the skull bones of newborns.





Foramen





A hole through bone.





Fossa





An elongated basin.





Head (of a Bone)





A prominent rounded surface on bone.





Humer/o





Pertaining to the humerus.





Knee Joint





Where the leg bones articulate at the knee, allowing the knee to bend.





Lumb/o





Pertaining to the lumbar region.





Mandible





Lower jaw bone.





Patell/o





Pertaining to the patella (kneecap).





Pectoral Girdle





Supports the arms; held in place by muscles rather than a direct connection to the vertebral column.





Pelv/i





Pertaining to the pelvis.





Pelvic Girdle





Protects internal organs, connects to vertebral column and articulates with the legs; consists of the ilium, ischium, and public bones.





Phalanx





A finger or toe bone (plural phalanges).





Process





A prominence feature extending from bone.





Pubis





One of the bones that makes up the pelvis.





Radi/o





Pertaining to the radius.





Sacrum





Fused bones in the sacral region of the spine (pelvic region).





Shoulder Joint





The joint that allows the shoulder to move.





Sinus





An air-filled space in bone.





Spine





A sharp process on bone.





Stern/o





Pertaining to the sternum.





Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)





A hinge joint between the temporal bone and the mandible.





Thorac/o





Pertaining to the thoracic region.





Thoracic Cage





The structure that surrounds the chest (ribs and vertebrae).





Tibi/o





Pertaining to the tibia.





Trochanter





A protrusion on the femur used for muscle attachment.





Tuberosity





A rough, elevated surface on bone.





Uln/o





Pertaining to the ulna.





Ulna





One of the two bones of the lower arm (the longer bone).





Zygomatic





A bone that arches across the cheek.
































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