Encyclopedia - Anatomical Terms Of Location: Encyclopedia - Anatomical Terms Of Location
In human and zoological anatomy (sometimes called zootomy), several terms are used to describe the location of organs and other structure...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Anatomical Terms Of Location: Encyclopedia Ii - Anatomical Terms Of Location - Planes
Anatomical terms of location - General usage. Three basic reference planes are used in zoological anatomy. The sagittal plane divides t...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Anatomical Terms Of Location: Encyclopedia Ii - Anatomical Terms Of Location - Directions
Anatomical terms of location - General usage. Animals typically have one end with a head and mouth, with the opposite end often having ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Anatomical Position: Encyclopedia - Anatomical Position
The anatomical position is a schematic convention for describing the relative morphology of the human body. All terms in the study of ana...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Viscus: Encyclopedia - Viscus
In anatomy, a viscus (plural viscera) is an internal organ of an animal, in particular an internal organ of the thorax or abdomen. The vi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Cuboid Bone: Encyclopedia - Cuboid Bone
The cuboid bone is one of seven Tarsal bones. Distally, the Cuboid articulates with the fourth and fifth metatarsals, forming the fourth ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Anatomical Terms Of Location: Encyclopedia Ii - Anatomical Terms Of Location - Relative Motions
Flexion means approximating adjacent parts of the body (usually at a joint) and extension means separating them. For example, the legs ar...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Cuneiform Anatomy: Encyclopedia - Cuneiform Anatomy
There are three cuneiform bones in the human foot: the medial cuneiform, the intermediate cuneiform and the lateral cuneiform. They are l...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Anatomical Terms Of Location: Encyclopedia Ii - Anatomical Terms Of Location - Relative Directions
Structures near the midline are called medial and those near the sides of animals are called lateral. Therefore, medial structures are cl...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ankle: Encyclopedia - Ankle
In anatomy, the ankle, or ancle (a word common, in various forms, to Teutonic languages, probably connected in origin with the Latin angu...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Calcaneus: Encyclopedia - Calcaneus
The calcaneus is the large bone making up the heel of the human foot or the point of an animal's hock. Calcaneus - Human. It articulate...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Capitate Bone: Encyclopedia - Capitate Bone
The capitate bone (os capitatum; os magnum) is a bone in the human hand. The capitate bone is the largest of the carpal bones, and occupi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Clavicle: Encyclopedia - Clavicle
In human anatomy, the clavicle or collar bone is a bone that makes up part of the shoulder girdle (pectoral girdle). Clavicle - Overview....   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vomer Bone: Encyclopedia - Vomer Bone
The vomer bone is one of the unpaired facial bones of the skull. It is located in the midsagittal line, and touches the sphenoid, the eth...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carpal Bone: Encyclopedia - Carpal Bone
In human anatomy, the carpal bones are the bones of the human wrist. There are eight of them altogether, and they can be thought of as fo...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Zygomatic Bone: Encyclopedia - Zygomatic Bone
The zygomatic bone (also known as the zygoma; Os Zygomaticum; Malar Bone) is a paired bone of the human skull. It articulates with the ma...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vertebra: Encyclopedia - Vertebra
Vertebrae (singular: vertebra) are the individual bones that make up the vertebral column (aka spine) — a flexuous and flexible column....   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Coccyx: Encyclopedia - Coccyx
The coccyx (Latin: os coccygis), commonly referred to as the tailbone, is the final segment of the human vertebral column, of three to fi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Fibula: Encyclopedia - Fibula
The fibula or calf bone is a bone placed on the lateral side of the tibia, with which it is connected above and below. It is the smaller ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Rib: Encyclopedia - Rib
In anatomy, ribs (Latin costae) are the long curved bones which form the rib cage. Ribs surround the chest (Latin thorax) of land vertebr...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sternum: Encyclopedia - Sternum
Sternum or breastbone is a long, flat bone located in the center of the thorax (chest). It connects to the rib bones via cartilage, formi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Arm: Encyclopedia - Arm
In anatomy, the arm is the upper limb of a bipedal mammal, specifically the segment between the shoulder and the elbow. Arm can also refe...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bone: Encyclopedia - Bone
Bone, also called osseous tissue, (Latin: "os") is a type of hard endoskeletal connective tissue found in many vertebrate animals. Bones ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Adipose Tissue: Encyclopedia - Adipose Tissue
Adipose tissue is an anatomical term for loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. Its main role is to store energy in the form of ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Skull: Encyclopedia - Skull
A skull, or cranium, is a bony structure of Craniates which serves as the general framework for a head. The skull supports the structures...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Calcaneus: Encyclopedia Ii - Calcaneus - Human
It articulates with two other tarsal bones, the talus above and the cuboid toward the midfoot. In addition to receiving the weight of the...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Clavicle: Encyclopedia Ii - Clavicle - Functions
The clavicle serves several functions: It serves as a rigid support from which the scapula and free limb are suspended. This arrangement...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Clavicle: Encyclopedia Ii - Clavicle - Note About Anatomical Position
Note: this article uses some professional terms to explain certain anatomical details. These words apply only when the body is in anatomi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vomer Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Vomer Bone - Articulations
The vomer articulates with six bones: two of the cranium, the sphenoid and ethmoid; and four of the face, the two maxillae; and the two p...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Pisiform Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Pisiform Bone - Overview Of Anatomy
The pisiform bone may be known by its small size, and by its presenting a single articular facet. It is situated on a plane anterior to t...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Navicular Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Navicular Bone - Human Anatomy
The navicular bone (also called the navicular or scaphoid) is one of the tarsal bones, found in the foot. Its name derives from the bone'...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Hamate Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Hamate Bone - Surfaces
The superior surface, the apex of the wedge, is narrow, convex, smooth, and articulates with the lunate. The inferior surface articulates...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Inferior Nasal Conchae: Encyclopedia Ii - Inferior Nasal Conchae - Articulations
The inferior nasal concha articulates with four bones: the ethmoid, maxilla, lacrimal, and palatine. This article is based on an entry fr...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Trapezium Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Trapezium Bone - Overview Of Anatomy
The greater multangular bone may be distinguished by a deep groove on its volar surface. It is situated at the radial side of the carpus,...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Scaphoid Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Scaphoid Bone - Overview Of Anatomy
The scaphoid is the largest bone of the proximal row. It is situated at the radial side of the carpus, its long axis being from above dow...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Triquetral Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Triquetral Bone - Overview Of Anatomy
The triangular bone may be distinguished by its pyramidal shape, and by an oval isolated facet for articulation with the pisiform bone. I...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Coccyx: Encyclopedia Ii - Coccyx - Structure
The coccyx is formed of four rudimentary vertebrae; the number may be as high as five or as low as three. It articulates superiorly with ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Zygomatic Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Zygomatic Bone - Surfaces
The malar surface [Fig. 2] is convex and perforated near its center by a small aperture, the zygomaticofacial foramen, for the passage of...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Zygomatic Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Zygomatic Bone - Articulations
The zygomatic articulates with four bones: the frontal, sphenoidal, temporal, and maxilla. This article is based on an entry from the 191...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vertebra: Encyclopedia Ii - Vertebra - General Structure
A typical vertebra consists of two essential parts: an anterior (front) segment, which is the vertebral body; and a posterior part – th...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vertebra: Encyclopedia Ii - Vertebra - Cervical Vertebrae
Note: For more detailed information, see Cervical vertebrae These are generally small and delicate. Their spinous processes are short (wi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vertebra: Encyclopedia Ii - Vertebra - Thoracic Vertebrae
Note: For more detailed information, see Thoracic vertebrae Their spinous processes point downwards, and are long relative to those in ot...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vertebra: Encyclopedia Ii - Vertebra - Lumbar Vertebrae
Note: For more detailed information, see Lumbar vertebrae These vertebrae are very robust in construction, as they must support more weig...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vertebra: Encyclopedia Ii - Vertebra - Vertebral Development
During the fourth week of embryonic development, the sclerotomes shift their position to surround the spinal cord and the notochord. The ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Nasal Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Nasal Bone - Articulations
The nasal articulates with four bones: two of the cranium, the frontal and ethmoid, and two of the face, the opposite nasal and the maxil...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Lacrimal Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Lacrimal Bone - Articulations
The lacrimal articulates with four bones: two of the cranium, the frontal and ethmoid, and two of the face, the maxilla and the inferior ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Lacrimal Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Lacrimal Bone - Articulations
The lacrimal articulates with four bones: two of the cranium, the frontal and ethmoid, and two of the face, the maxilla and the inferior ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Arm: Encyclopedia Ii - Arm - Anatomy Of The Human Arm
The human arm contains bones, joints, muscles, nerves and blood vessels. Many of these muscles are used for everyday tasks. There are cli...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Fibula: Encyclopedia Ii - Fibula - Borders
The antero-lateral border begins above in front of the head, runs vertically downward to a little below the middle of the bone, and then ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Fibula: Encyclopedia Ii - Fibula - Surfaces
The anterior surface is the interval between the antero-lateral and antero-medial borders. It is extremely narrow and flat in the upper t...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Bone - Functions
Long bones can be connected to muscles via tendons. Bones connect at joints by ligaments. The interaction between bone and muscle is stud...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Bone - Structure
Bone is a relatively hard and lightweight composite material, formed mostly of calcium phosphate in the chemical arrangement termed calci...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Bone - Formation
The formation of bone occurs by two methods: intramembranous and endochondral ossification. Intramembranous ossification mainly occurs du...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Bone - Bone Pathologies
One of the most common bone illnesses is a bone fracture. Bones heal by natural processes, but untended and unsupported can lead to misgr...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sternum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sternum - Overview
The sternum (Figs. 1 to 3) is an elongated, flattened bone, forming the middle portion of the anterior wall of the thorax. Its upper end ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sternum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sternum - Manubrium
('manubrium sterni') The manubrium is the broad, upper part of the sternum. With a quadrangular shape, wider superiorly and narrower infe...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sternum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sternum - Body
('corpus sterni; gladiolus') The body, considerably longer, narrower, and thinner than the manubrium, attains its greatest breadth close ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sternum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sternum - Xiphoid Process
('processus xiphoideus; ensiform or xiphoid appendix') The xiphoid process is the smallest of the three pieces: it is thin and elongated,...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sternum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sternum - Ossification
The sternum originally consists of two cartilaginous bars, situated one on either side of the median plane and connected with the cartila...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Rib: Encyclopedia Ii - Rib - Rib Anatomy
Rib - Typical ribs. The third through ninth ribs are "typical ribs" since they share the same structure. They each have a head that has...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Rib: Encyclopedia Ii - Rib - Rib Fractures And Associated Injuries
The first rib is rarely fractured because of its protected position behind the clavicle (collarbone). However, if it is broken serious da...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Rib: Encyclopedia Ii - Rib - Biblical Legend
There is a legend that men have one rib fewer than women, and originates from the Bible's description of the creation of Eve (from the ri...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Parietal Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Parietal Bone - Surfaces
Parietal bone - External. The external surface [Fig. 1] is convex, smooth, and marked near the center by an eminence, the parietal emin...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Parietal Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Parietal Bone - Ossification
The parietal bone is ossified in membrane from a single center, which appears at the parietal eminence about the eighth week of fetal lif...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ethmoid Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Ethmoid Bone - Surfaces
The upper surface of the labyrinth [Fig. 1] presents a number of half-broken cells, the walls of which are completed, in the articulated ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ethmoid Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Ethmoid Bone - Articulations
The ethmoid articulates with fifteen bones: four of the cranium—the frontal, the sphenoid, and the two sphenoidal conchæ; and eleven o...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mandible: Encyclopedia Ii - Mandible - The Body
('corpus mandibulæ') The body is curved somewhat like a horseshoe and has two surfaces and two borders. Mandible - Surfaces. The exte...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mandible: Encyclopedia Ii - Mandible - The Ramus
('ramus mandibulæ; perpendicular portion') The ramus is quadrilateral in shape, and has two surfaces, four borders, and two processes. ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mandible: Encyclopedia Ii - Mandible - Ossification
The mandible is ossified in the fibrous membrane covering the outer surfaces of Meckel's cartilages. These cartilages form the cartilagin...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mandible: Encyclopedia Ii - Mandible - Changes Produced In The Mandible By Age
At birth [Fig. 7] the body of the bone is a mere shell, containing the sockets of the two incisor, the canine, and the two deciduous mola...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Hyoid Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Hyoid Bone - Segments
It consists of five segments: a body, two greater cornua, and two lesser cornua. Hyoid bone - The body or basihyal. The body (corpus os...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Humerus: Encyclopedia Ii - Humerus - Articulations
The head of the humerus (caput humeri) articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula at the glenohumeral joint. Also known as the "s...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Humerus: Encyclopedia Ii - Humerus - Muscle Attachments
A variety of muscles attach to the humerus. These enable movement at the elbow and at the shoulder. Anconeus muscle - attaches to the la...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Humerus: Encyclopedia Ii - Humerus - Structure
The humerus (arm bone) is the longest and largest bone of the upper extremity; it is divisible into a body and two extremities. The extre...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Metacarpus: Encyclopedia Ii - Metacarpus - Common Characteristics Of The Metacarpal Bones
The body (corpus; shaft) is prismoid in form, and curved, so as to be convex in the longitudinal direction behind, concave in front. It p...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Metacarpus: Encyclopedia Ii - Metacarpus - Characteristics Of The Individual Metacarpal Bones
Metacarpus - First. The first metacarpal bone (os metacarpale I; metacarpal bone of the thumb) [Fig. 1] is shorter and stouter than the...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ethmoid Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Ethmoid Bone - Articulations
The ethmoid articulates with fifteen bones: four of the cranium—the frontal, the sphenoid, and the two sphenoidal conchæ; and eleven o...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Bone - Formation
The formation of bone occurs by two methods: intramembranous and endochondral ossification. Intramembranous ossification mainly occurs d...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tibia: Encyclopedia Ii - Tibia - The Upper Extremity
('proximal extremity') The upper extremity is large, and expanded into two eminences, the medial and lateral condyles. The superior artic...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tibia: Encyclopedia Ii - Tibia - The Body Or Shaft
('corpus tibiæ') The body has three borders and three surfaces. Tibia - Borders. The anterior crest or border, the most prominent of t...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tibia: Encyclopedia Ii - Tibia - The Lower Extremity
('distal extremity') The lower extremity, much smaller than the upper, presents five surfaces; it is prolonged downward on its medial sid...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tibia: Encyclopedia Ii - Tibia - Ossification
The tibia is ossified from three centers : one for the body and one for either extremity. Ossification begins in the center of the b...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Rib: Encyclopedia Ii - Rib - Rib Anatomy
Rib - Typical ribs. The third through ninth ribs are "typical ribs" since they share the same structure. They each have a head that has...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Rib: Encyclopedia Ii - Rib - Rib Fractures And Associated Injuries
The first rib is rarely fractured because of its protected position behind the clavicle (collarbone). However, if it is broken serious da...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Rib: Encyclopedia Ii - Rib - Biblical Legend
There is a legend that men have one rib fewer than women, and originates from the Bible's description of the creation of Eve (from the ri...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sacrum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sacrum - Pelvic Surface
The pelvic surface (facies pelvina) is concave from above downward, and slightly so from side to side. Its middle part is crossed by four...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sacrum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sacrum - Variations
The sacrum, in some cases, consists of six pieces; occasionally the number is reduced to four. The bodies of the first and second vertebr...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Radius Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Radius Bone - The Body Or Shaft
('corpus radii') The body is prismoid in form, narrower above than below, and slightly curved, so as to be convex lateralward. It present...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Radius Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Radius Bone - The Lower Extremity
The lower extremity is large, of quadrilateral form, and provided with two articular surfaces - one below, for the carpus, and another at...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sacrum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sacrum - Surfaces
Sacrum - Pelvic surface. The pelvic surface (facies pelvina) is concave from above downward, and slightly so from side to side. Its mid...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sacrum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sacrum - Base
The base of the sacrum (basis oss. sacri), which is broad and expanded, is directed upward and forward. In the middle is a large oval art...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sacrum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sacrum - Vertebral Canal
The vertebral canal (canalis sacralis; sacral canal) runs throughout the greater part of the bone; above, it is triangular in form; below...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sacrum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sacrum - Sexual Dimorphism
The sacrum is noticeably sexually dimorphic (differently-shaped in males and females). In the female the sacrum is shorter and wider than...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sacrum: Encyclopedia Ii - Sacrum - Variations
The sacrum, in some cases, consists of six pieces; occasionally the number is reduced to four. The bodies of the first and second vertebr...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Arm: Encyclopedia Ii - Arm - Anatomy Of The Human Arm
The human arm contains bones, joints, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Many of these muscles are used for everyday tasks. Arm - Bony ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Skull: Encyclopedia Ii - Skull - Humans
In humans, the adult skull is normally made up of 28 bones. Except for the mandible, all of the bones of the skull are joined together by...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Palatine Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Palatine Bone - The Horizontal Part
The horizontal part (pars horizontalis; horizontal plate) [Fig. 1&2] is quadrilateral, and has two surfaces and four borders. Palati...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Palatine Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Palatine Bone - The Vertical Part
The vertical part (pars perpendicularis; perpendicular plate) [Fig. 1&2] is thin, of an oblong form, and presents two surfaces and fo...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Palatine Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Palatine Bone - Processes
Palatine bone - The pyramidal process or tuberosity. The pyramidal process (processus pyramidalis) projects backward and lateralward fr...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Palatine Bone: Encyclopedia Ii - Palatine Bone - Ossification
The palatine bone is ossified in membrane from a single center, which makes its appearance about the sixth or eighth week of fetal life a...   » Read the article