Skeletal Terminology Fundamentals
Common Skeletal System Terminology
● Anatomical position: The standard position used as a
reference in anatomy, with the body facing forward, arms at
the sides with palms facing forward, and feet pointing straight
ahead.
● Anatomical plane: An imaginary plane that divides the body
into different sections for study. Common planes include the
sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes.
● Body: The central part of a long bone, located between the
epiphyses.
● Epiphysis: The end of a long bone, separated from the body
by the growth plate (epiphyseal plate) during development.
● Metaphysis: The region of a long bone located between the
body and the epiphysis, containing the growth plate.
Bone-Related Prefixes and Roots
● Osteo-: Pertaining to bone. Example: Osteoporosis (a
condition characterized by weak and fragile bones).
● Chondro-: Pertaining to cartilage. Example: Chondromalacia
(pain and inflammation of the cartilage under the kneecap).
● Myo-: Pertaining to muscle. Example: Myositis (inflammation
of the muscle tissue).
● Arthr-/arthr(o)-: Pertaining to a joint. Example: Arthritis
(inflammation of the joints).
Projections and Depressions in Skeletal Anatomy
● Process: A projection or bony prominence. Examples include
the acromion process, the coronoid process, and the styloid
process.
, ● Fossa: A depression or shallow indentation on a bone.
Examples include the temporal fossa, the infraorbital fossa,
and the pterygopalatine fossa.
● Tubercle: A small, rounded bony projection. An example is the
deltoid tubercle, which can be palpated on the lateral aspect of
the humerus.
● Tuberosity: A larger, more prominent bony projection than a
tubercle. Examples include the radial tuberosity, ulnar
tuberosity, and the greater and lesser trochanters of the femur.
Mastering Word Elements in Skeletal Terminology
● Suffix: A word element added to the end of a word, often to
form a new word or indicate grammatical function. Examples
include -osis, -itis, -oma, and -ectomy.
● Prefix: A word element added to the beginning of a word, often
to change the meaning of the word or create a new word.
Examples include pre-, post-, and sub-.
Anatomical Terminology for Healthcare Professionals
● Anterior: Situated in front, or toward the front of the body.
● Posterior: Situated behind, or toward the back of the body.
● Superior: Situated above, or higher than.
● Inferior: Situated below, or lower than.
● Medial: Situated closer to the middle or midline of the body.
● Lateral: Situated away from the middle or midline of the body.
Terms for Skeletal Tissues and Articulations
● Compact bone: The dense, hard bone that forms the outer
layer of bone tissue.
● Spongy (cancellous) bone: The porous, inner layer of bone
tissue.
● Articulation: The point at which two or more bones meet and
interact at a joint.
Common Skeletal System Terminology
● Anatomical position: The standard position used as a
reference in anatomy, with the body facing forward, arms at
the sides with palms facing forward, and feet pointing straight
ahead.
● Anatomical plane: An imaginary plane that divides the body
into different sections for study. Common planes include the
sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes.
● Body: The central part of a long bone, located between the
epiphyses.
● Epiphysis: The end of a long bone, separated from the body
by the growth plate (epiphyseal plate) during development.
● Metaphysis: The region of a long bone located between the
body and the epiphysis, containing the growth plate.
Bone-Related Prefixes and Roots
● Osteo-: Pertaining to bone. Example: Osteoporosis (a
condition characterized by weak and fragile bones).
● Chondro-: Pertaining to cartilage. Example: Chondromalacia
(pain and inflammation of the cartilage under the kneecap).
● Myo-: Pertaining to muscle. Example: Myositis (inflammation
of the muscle tissue).
● Arthr-/arthr(o)-: Pertaining to a joint. Example: Arthritis
(inflammation of the joints).
Projections and Depressions in Skeletal Anatomy
● Process: A projection or bony prominence. Examples include
the acromion process, the coronoid process, and the styloid
process.
, ● Fossa: A depression or shallow indentation on a bone.
Examples include the temporal fossa, the infraorbital fossa,
and the pterygopalatine fossa.
● Tubercle: A small, rounded bony projection. An example is the
deltoid tubercle, which can be palpated on the lateral aspect of
the humerus.
● Tuberosity: A larger, more prominent bony projection than a
tubercle. Examples include the radial tuberosity, ulnar
tuberosity, and the greater and lesser trochanters of the femur.
Mastering Word Elements in Skeletal Terminology
● Suffix: A word element added to the end of a word, often to
form a new word or indicate grammatical function. Examples
include -osis, -itis, -oma, and -ectomy.
● Prefix: A word element added to the beginning of a word, often
to change the meaning of the word or create a new word.
Examples include pre-, post-, and sub-.
Anatomical Terminology for Healthcare Professionals
● Anterior: Situated in front, or toward the front of the body.
● Posterior: Situated behind, or toward the back of the body.
● Superior: Situated above, or higher than.
● Inferior: Situated below, or lower than.
● Medial: Situated closer to the middle or midline of the body.
● Lateral: Situated away from the middle or midline of the body.
Terms for Skeletal Tissues and Articulations
● Compact bone: The dense, hard bone that forms the outer
layer of bone tissue.
● Spongy (cancellous) bone: The porous, inner layer of bone
tissue.
● Articulation: The point at which two or more bones meet and
interact at a joint.
