1. Markings on Bones, Periosteum
and Endosteum
Anatomy for Students of Physiotherapy and
Occupational therapy
Rohana Perera
2. BASIC STRUCTURES
The Skeleton
Bones
Markings on Bones
The surfaces of bones are marked by various projections, depressions and
perforations, each of which has some significance. Projections and
depressions may be articular i.e. taking part in the formation of joints, or
they may mark the attachments of muscles, tendons, ligaments.
Perforations may serve as passageways for blood vessels and nerves.
3. BASIC STRUCTURES
The Skeleton
Bones
Anatomical Designation Description Examples
Line Faint linear elevation Nuchal lines of occipital
bone
Ridge Sharp linear elevation Supracondylar ridges
Crest Prominent linear
elevation
Iliac crest
1. Projections or elevations -
1.1 Linear elevations
4. BASIC STRUCTURES
The Skeleton
Bones
Anatomical Designation Description Examples
Tubercle Blunt, slightly raised Conoid tubercle of
clavicle
Protuberence Prominent Occipital protuberences
Tuberosity medium
Rough and
prominent
Tuberosities of humerus
Malleolus
Larger
Medial and Lateral
Malleoli
Trochanter
Largest
Trochanters of femur
1.Projections or elevations -
1.2 Rounded / quadrangular elevations
6. BASIC STRUCTURES
The Skeleton
Bones
Anatomical Designation Description Examples
Head Enlarged, rounded Head of humerus /
femur
Condyle Knuckle-like Condyles of Femur
Epicondyle Non-articular
prominence
Upon a condyle
Epicondyles of
-humerus/femur
1. Projections or elevations -
1.4 Expanded articular ends
7. BASIC STRUCTURES
The Skeleton
Bones
Anatomical Designation Description Examples
Ramus Broad arm or process
that projects from the
main part or body of the
bone.
Ramus of mandible
Facets Small flat regions Facets on head of rib
2. Flat areas for articulations
Or ligament attachments
8. BASIC STRUCTURES
The Skeleton
Bones
Anatomical Designation Description Examples
Fovea Shallow concavity Articular fovea on the
radial head
Cavity, Fossa Obvious concavity Glenoid fossa,
subscapular fossa
Sulcus, Groove Linear depression Bicipital groove of
humerus
Notch, Incisura Deep concave border Sciatic notches
3. Depressions
9. BASIC STRUCTURES
The Skeleton
Bones
Anatomical Designation Description Examples
Fissure Narrow, cleftlike Superior orbital fissure
Foramen Hole Foramen magnum
Canal
Tubular passage
Carotid canal of
temporal bone
Meatus External / internal
acoustic meatus
4. Perforations (Openings)
10. BASIC STRUCTURES
The Skeleton
Periosteum
Periosteum
The external surface of bones, other than at the joint surfaces, is covered
with a highly vascular, fibrous membrane, called periosteum. It maintains
its connection with the underlying compact bone by means of direct
continuation of its fibers, called Sharpey’s fibers.
Periosteum is composed of two layers, an outer dense fibrous connective
tissue layer and an inner loosely arranged osteogenic, or bone producing
layer. This membrane is of great importance:
1. during development and growth of bones,
2. in adult life, for the nutrition of the underlying bony tissue,
3. for regeneration of bones following fractures.
Periosteum also serves as a means of attachment of muscles, tendons,
and ligaments to the bones.
11. BASIC STRUCTURES
The Skeleton
Endosteum
Endosteum
A thin layer of connective tissue called endosteum, lines the marrow
cavities. In cancellous bone the marrow cavities (sinusoids) are thin
walled, capillary like spaces, which are lined with retculoendothelial cells,
surrounded by various developmental stages of red and white blood cells.
