Unit 1: Osteology
Study Questions
1. Describe the functions of the patella. How is the patella different from
other bones of the leg?
Patella or kneecap, lies in tendon of quadriceps muscle at the end of the
femur and beginning of the tibia. The femur has a dedicated groove along
which the kneecap slides. As a form of protection, both bones also contain
cartilage in the areas near the patella. The patella plays a vital role in how the
knee bends, in addition to most motions that require movement of the leg.
Provides protection of knee joint and increases leverage of tendon. If
dislocated, the patella can no longer slide along the thighbones grooves,
which can aggravate and damage cartilage on both the femur and the tibia.
The patella is a sesamoid bone, meaning that they are not present at birth but
grow from a tendon during childhood.
2. Name the bones of the pectoral girdle and the bones of the pelvic girdle.
Compare the pectoral and the pelvic girdles with regard to strength,
function, and versatility.
Pectoral Girdle: Clavicle, Sternum, in species with 3 bones in shoulder also involves
he coracoid.
Pelvic Girdle: llium, Pubis, and Ischium.
Both are sockets for limb articulation. The pectoral girdle has a larger range of
motion , is more versatile and is larger but carries less weight. The pelvic girdle is
lightweight but weight bearing.
3. What functions does the clavicle serve in the skeletal system?
The clavical is the only horizontal long bone in the body. It connects the arm
to the body and keeps the scapula in place so that the arm can hang freely. It
also keeps the upper arm away from the thorax.
4. To what bones does the scapula articulate?
The humerus and the clavical.
5. Describe the bony arrangements which are involved in the elbow joint.
Humerus, radius and ulna.
6. Describe the differences between a male pelvis and a female pelvis.
The female pelivis is wider and larger than the males and have a rounder
pelvic inlet. Male iliac crests are higher, causing their false pelivis to look
taller and narrower.
7. Compare the elbow joint and the knee joint in terms of structure and
function.
, The elbow is a hinge joint-flexision and extension. The knee is a pivotal hinge
joint – flexision and extension with some lateral and medial rotation.
8. Describe the four major curvatures of the vertebral column. Define
lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis.
Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral curvature.
Lordosis – Sway back, an exaggerated anterior lumbar curve.
Kyphosis- “hump back”- an exaggerated posterior thoracic curve
Scoliosis- an abnormal lateral curvature of the vertebral column.
9. What is the function of the thoracic cage? Distinguish between true,
false, and floating ribs.
The function of the thoracic cage is to protect the heart and lungs and to support the
clavical and the scapula.
True ribs 1-7, connected to sternum
False ribs 8-10 each connected to the one above it
Floating ribs – 11-12 not connected to sternum at all.
10.What are the functions of the acromion process and coracoid process of
the scapula?
The Coracoid limits shoulder movement and the Acromion articulates with
the clavicle.
11.What is the function of the tibial tuberosity?
The tibial tuberosity serves as a point of attachment for the patella ligament.
Protrusion provides stability, cushioning, and flexibility to the knee.
12.Describe three ways in which the fetal skull differs from the adult skull.
The fetal skull is more flexible and not as thick as the adult brain because it is not
completely fused together like an adult skull. The infant skull is composed of
numerous pieces
Unit 2: Human Torso Anatomy
Functions
Heart: Responsible for pumping blood throughout the body
Lungs: Responsible for removing oxygen from the air we breathe and transferring it
to our blood where is can be sent to our cells. Also remove carbon dioxide.
Liver: Many functions, including detoxifying of harmful chemicals, breakdown of
drugs, filtering blood, secretion of bile and production of blood-clotting chemicals.
, Pancreas: Produces important hormones, including insulin, and glucagon. Also a
digestive organ that assists in digestion and absorption of nutrients in the small
intestines.
Spleen: Acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old RBC recycled,
platelets and WBC are stored here. Also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria.
Kidney: Remove waste and extra fluids from the blood. Take urea out of the blood
and combine it with water and other substances to make urine.
Large Intestine: Absorb water from the remaining ingestible food matter and
transmit the useless waste material from the body.
Small Intestine: Where 90% of digestion and absorption of food occurs. Main
purpose is the absorption of nutrients and minerals from food.
Stomach: Secretes acid and enzymes that digest food.
Gall Bladder: Store and concentrate bile, also drains waste products from the liver
into the duodenum.
Esophagus: Carry food, liquids, and saliva from the mouth to the stomach.
Trachea: Providing air flow to and from the lungs for respiration.
Diaphragm: Primary muscle used in the process of inspiration, or inhalation.
Urinary Bladder: Stores urine, allowing urination to be infrequent and voluntary.
Ureter: Tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Two
ureters, one attached to each kidney.
Adrenal Gland: Located at the top of each kidney, produces hormones that help the
body control blood sugar, burn protein and fat, react to stressors like a major illness
or injury, and regulate blood pressure.
Abdominal Aorta: Largest artery in the abdomen that provides blood to the organs
and tissues of the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. It descends from the thorax as a
continuation of the thoracic aorta and branches several times to form the major
arteries of the abdomen.
Inferior Vena Cava: Vein, carries deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the
body to the right atrium of the heart. The corresponding vein that carries
deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body is the superior vena cava.
Study Questions
1. Describe the functions of the patella. How is the patella different from
other bones of the leg?
Patella or kneecap, lies in tendon of quadriceps muscle at the end of the
femur and beginning of the tibia. The femur has a dedicated groove along
which the kneecap slides. As a form of protection, both bones also contain
cartilage in the areas near the patella. The patella plays a vital role in how the
knee bends, in addition to most motions that require movement of the leg.
Provides protection of knee joint and increases leverage of tendon. If
dislocated, the patella can no longer slide along the thighbones grooves,
which can aggravate and damage cartilage on both the femur and the tibia.
The patella is a sesamoid bone, meaning that they are not present at birth but
grow from a tendon during childhood.
2. Name the bones of the pectoral girdle and the bones of the pelvic girdle.
Compare the pectoral and the pelvic girdles with regard to strength,
function, and versatility.
Pectoral Girdle: Clavicle, Sternum, in species with 3 bones in shoulder also involves
he coracoid.
Pelvic Girdle: llium, Pubis, and Ischium.
Both are sockets for limb articulation. The pectoral girdle has a larger range of
motion , is more versatile and is larger but carries less weight. The pelvic girdle is
lightweight but weight bearing.
3. What functions does the clavicle serve in the skeletal system?
The clavical is the only horizontal long bone in the body. It connects the arm
to the body and keeps the scapula in place so that the arm can hang freely. It
also keeps the upper arm away from the thorax.
4. To what bones does the scapula articulate?
The humerus and the clavical.
5. Describe the bony arrangements which are involved in the elbow joint.
Humerus, radius and ulna.
6. Describe the differences between a male pelvis and a female pelvis.
The female pelivis is wider and larger than the males and have a rounder
pelvic inlet. Male iliac crests are higher, causing their false pelivis to look
taller and narrower.
7. Compare the elbow joint and the knee joint in terms of structure and
function.
, The elbow is a hinge joint-flexision and extension. The knee is a pivotal hinge
joint – flexision and extension with some lateral and medial rotation.
8. Describe the four major curvatures of the vertebral column. Define
lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis.
Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral curvature.
Lordosis – Sway back, an exaggerated anterior lumbar curve.
Kyphosis- “hump back”- an exaggerated posterior thoracic curve
Scoliosis- an abnormal lateral curvature of the vertebral column.
9. What is the function of the thoracic cage? Distinguish between true,
false, and floating ribs.
The function of the thoracic cage is to protect the heart and lungs and to support the
clavical and the scapula.
True ribs 1-7, connected to sternum
False ribs 8-10 each connected to the one above it
Floating ribs – 11-12 not connected to sternum at all.
10.What are the functions of the acromion process and coracoid process of
the scapula?
The Coracoid limits shoulder movement and the Acromion articulates with
the clavicle.
11.What is the function of the tibial tuberosity?
The tibial tuberosity serves as a point of attachment for the patella ligament.
Protrusion provides stability, cushioning, and flexibility to the knee.
12.Describe three ways in which the fetal skull differs from the adult skull.
The fetal skull is more flexible and not as thick as the adult brain because it is not
completely fused together like an adult skull. The infant skull is composed of
numerous pieces
Unit 2: Human Torso Anatomy
Functions
Heart: Responsible for pumping blood throughout the body
Lungs: Responsible for removing oxygen from the air we breathe and transferring it
to our blood where is can be sent to our cells. Also remove carbon dioxide.
Liver: Many functions, including detoxifying of harmful chemicals, breakdown of
drugs, filtering blood, secretion of bile and production of blood-clotting chemicals.
, Pancreas: Produces important hormones, including insulin, and glucagon. Also a
digestive organ that assists in digestion and absorption of nutrients in the small
intestines.
Spleen: Acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old RBC recycled,
platelets and WBC are stored here. Also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria.
Kidney: Remove waste and extra fluids from the blood. Take urea out of the blood
and combine it with water and other substances to make urine.
Large Intestine: Absorb water from the remaining ingestible food matter and
transmit the useless waste material from the body.
Small Intestine: Where 90% of digestion and absorption of food occurs. Main
purpose is the absorption of nutrients and minerals from food.
Stomach: Secretes acid and enzymes that digest food.
Gall Bladder: Store and concentrate bile, also drains waste products from the liver
into the duodenum.
Esophagus: Carry food, liquids, and saliva from the mouth to the stomach.
Trachea: Providing air flow to and from the lungs for respiration.
Diaphragm: Primary muscle used in the process of inspiration, or inhalation.
Urinary Bladder: Stores urine, allowing urination to be infrequent and voluntary.
Ureter: Tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Two
ureters, one attached to each kidney.
Adrenal Gland: Located at the top of each kidney, produces hormones that help the
body control blood sugar, burn protein and fat, react to stressors like a major illness
or injury, and regulate blood pressure.
Abdominal Aorta: Largest artery in the abdomen that provides blood to the organs
and tissues of the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. It descends from the thorax as a
continuation of the thoracic aorta and branches several times to form the major
arteries of the abdomen.
Inferior Vena Cava: Vein, carries deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the
body to the right atrium of the heart. The corresponding vein that carries
deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body is the superior vena cava.
