3.3: Practice for Bones and Bone Markings

The pictures below provide you with a low-tech way to practice finding and naming bones and bone markings for your lab practical.  For the most part, the pictures are of RVCC’s lab models.  Each picture will include labels and associated questions; the associated questions are similar to what you may expect to see on a practical or a lab assignment. 

Please keep in mind that there are a few markings or bones missing because it’s difficult to capture these well in a picture.  In the answer key, you’ll see some tips for determining left and right; you can find more tip in the “Tips” document on Canvas (or in the following pages in the lab manual).  You’ll also see notations about how questions may be presented on a lab practical exam.  If you have any questions or think you found an error in the answer key, please consult your instructor.

This practice work is optional, unless otherwise stated by your instructor.

Answers for all pictures are at the end.

1. Name bone B
2. Is A labeled on the sternal end or acromial end of this bone
3. Is this bone left or right?

 

Questions for Figures 2, 3, and 4

1. Identify Bone A
2. Identify Bone B
3. Identify the specific marking C
4. Identify the specific marking D
5. Identify Bone E
6. Identify the specific marking F
7. Identify the specific marking G
8. Identify the specific marking H
9. Identify the specific marking I
10. Is this bone left or right?

 

Questions for Figures 5, 6, 7

1. Name the bone
2. Is this bone left or right?
3. Identify the specific marking A
4. Identify the specific marking B
5. Identify the specific marking C
6. Identify the specific marking D
7. Identify the specific marking E
8. Identify the specific marking F

 

Questions for Figure 8

1. Name the bone C
2. Is this bone left or right?
3. Is this picture of the medial or lateral view
4. Identify the specific marking B
5. Is A labeled on the distal or proximal end of the bone

Questions for Figures 9 and 10

1. What body part is represented in figures 9 and 10?
2. Is Figure 9 showing the medial or lateral aspect of the body part?
3. Is this body part left or right?
4. Identify Bone A
5. Identify Bone B
6. Identify Bone C
7. Identify Bone D
8. Identify Bone E
9. Identify Bone F
10. Identify Bone G
11. Identify Bone H
12. Identify Bone I
13. Identify Bone J
14. Identify Bone K

 

Questions for Figure 11 and 12

For A-L, identify each bone

 

Questions for Figure 13

Identify bone C

Questions for Figure 14

1. Name the bone
2. Is this bone left or right?
3. Identify the specific marking C
4. Identify the specific marking D

 

Questions for Figures 15-18

1. Name the bone seen in Figures 15-18.
2. Is this bone left or right?
3. Is M labeled on the anterior or posterior aspect of the bone?
4. Identify the specific marking labeled G
5. Identify the specific marking labeled H
6. Identify the specific marking labeled I
7. Identify the specific marking labeled J
8. Identify the specific marking labeled K
9. Identify the specific marking labeled L
10. Identify the specific marking labeled M

Questions for Figure 19

1. Name the bone
2. Is this bone left or right?
3. Identify the specific marking E
4. Identify the specific marking F

 

Questions for Figure 20 and 21

1. Identify the bone
2. Is this bone left or right?
3. Identify the specific marking A
4. Identify the specific marking B
5. Identify the specific marking C
6. Identify the specific marking D

Questions for Figures 22 and 23

1. Identify the bone
2. Identify the specific marking A
3. Identify the specific marking B

 

Questions for Figures 24 and 25

1. Identify the specific marking A
2. Identify the specific marking B
3. Identify the specific marking C
4. dentify Bone D
5. Identify Bone E
6. Identify Bone F
7. Identify the specific marking G

 

Questions for Figures 26 and 27

1. Identify the specific marking C
2. Identify the specific marking D
3. Identify the specific marking K
4. Identify the specific marking L
5. Identify Bone F
6. Identify Bone J

 

Questions for Figures 28 and 29

1. Identify the specific marking A
2. Identify the specific marking B (inside the nasal cavity)
3. Identify Bone G
4. Identify Bone I
5. Identify Bone E
6. Identify Bone H
7. Identify Bone J

 

Questions for Figure 29 and 30

1. Identify the specific marking H
2. Identify the specific marking I
3. Identify the specific marking M
4. Identify the specific marking N
5. Identify the specific marking O

 

Questions for Figure 31

1. Name the structures enclosed in the red box
2. Identify the bone on which A, B, and C are labeled
3. Identify specific marking A
4. Identify specific marking B
5. Identify specific marking C

 

Questions for Figure 32

1. Identify Bone A
2. Identify Bone B

 

Questions for Figure 39

1. Identify the bone seen in both views
2. For View G, is this a posterior or anterior view? How do you know?
3. Is this bone left or right?
4. Identify the specific marking labeled A
5. Identify the specific marking labeled B
6. Identify the specific marking labeled C
7. Identify the specific marking labeled D
8. Identify the specific marking labeled E

ANSWER KEY:

Figure 1

1. Sternal end
2. Clavicle
3. Left—hint to determining left or right for this bone:  determine the posterior aspect, put the sternal end toward the medial side of the body  OR find the conoid tubercle (the little bump at the end of the yellow arrow) and make sure it’s inferior and posterior (on the bottom and toward the back), position the bone so the conoid tubercle to the lateral side of the body.

Figures 2, 3, 4 (Note:  collectively this fused bone is referred to as the coxal bone; on a practical you need to be able to name the three individual bones.  These are questions 1, 2, and 5 for this bone)

1. Pubic bone
2. Ischium (remember ischium is in your bum; it’s the bone you sit on, which is it’s sometimes called the “sits” bone)
3. ASIS = anterior superior iliac spine
4. Iliac crest (this is where you hands rest when you them on your hips)
5. Ilium
6. Greater sciatic notch
7. Obturator foramen
8. Acetabulum (this is where the head of the femur articulates to form the hip joint.  No such thing as a hip bone; the hip is a place where the femur and ilium/ischium/pubic bone meet at the acetabulum)
9. Ischial tuberosity (this is the part of #2 that you’re actually sitting on when you sit)
10. Right—hints, the acetabulum (“hip socket”) must be lateral, then make sure the pubic bone is anterior and medial (toward the front and toward the middle); double check this by making sure that the iliac crest is superior (toward the head, not the feet).

Figures 5, 6, 7

1. Femur
2. Right—hints, find the posterior aspect (the bone has a slight curve in the middle and you want this curve facing toward the front), make sure the femoral head is medial and superior (toward the middle and at the top),, make sure the condyles are inferior (so they would be part of the knee joint)
3. A=femoral head, or head of the femur
4. B=greater trochanter (you can feel this bump on the lateral side of the hip joint)
5. C=femoral neck, or neck of the femur
6. D=lateral condyle
7. E=medial condyle
8.  F=linea aspera

Figure 8

1. Fibula
2. Right—hints, this one can be tough!  First, determine which end is proximal (closer to the knee) vs distal (closer to the ankle).  The lateral malleolus (labeled as B) should be distal and lateral; it is the ankle bump you feel on the outside of your ankle.  The medial side of the fibula also has an indentation at the distal end where the talus sits against it.
3. Lateral view
4. Lateral malleolus
5. A is on the proximal end

Figures 9 and 10 (Note:  hands and feet are not disarticulated on lab practicals.  You would be presented a foot (as shown here) or a hand in its entirety.  However, the bones may be disarticulated for an extra credit question.

1. Foot
2. Lateral view—hints, notice the big “bump” at the distal end of the 5^th metatarsal; this should be lateral,  or  find the big toe (it only has two phalanges instead of 3); the big toe is on the medial side of the foot
3. Right (knowing right and left here helps you orient the bones and number the digits correctly
4. A = calcaneus
5. B=talus
6. C=navicular
7. D=cuboid (it’s kind of shaped like a cube)
8. E=medial cunieform
9. F=intermediate cunieform
10. G=lateral cunieform
11. H=metatarsal #2 (NOTE:  a complete and fully accurate answer must include the bone name and digit number for metatarsals (and for metacarpals in the hand))
12. I=proximal phalanx #1 (NOTE:  a thorough complete and accurate answer must include the digit # (big toe is #1, pinky toe is #5) and that it is the phalanx is proximal phalanx (as opposed to distal or intermediate).  This is true for hand bones as well
13. J=intermediate phalanx of digit 4 or intermediate phalanx #4  (See note for #11)
14. K=distal phalanx of digit 5 or distal phalanx #5 (See note for #11)

Figures 11 and 12

Some Notes:

• If you’re having trouble remember that metacarpals and carpals are in the wrist/hand vs metatarsals and tarsals that are in the feet, try this:  You drive a CAR with your CARpals.  You walk on TAR with your TARsals.) 
• They are LOTS of mnemonics for carpal bones, just search the internet (Ex. Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can’t Handle or So Long To Pinky, Here Comes the Thumb). 
• When you asked to name carpals, you will need to name the specific carpal bone, not just list “carpal”. 
• In anatomical position, the hands are placed so that the thumbs are lateral
• Hands will not be disarticulated other than as extra credit questions.  Please see the similar note for feet

1. Distal phalanx #1 or distal phalanx of digit 1
2. Metacarpal #2
3. Trapezoid
4. Capitate
5. Hamate (Notice the “handle” on the anterior hamate.  It may also look like a leg of ham or a comma to you)
6. Also capitate
7. Also trapezoid
8. Trapezium (Remember that trapeziUM is closest to the thUMb; trapezoid is next to it)
9. Also trapezium
10. Scaphoid (notice its very unique kidney-bean like shape compared to other carpals)
11. Lunate
12. Triquetral—notes, the pisiform is super hard to see in Figure 11 (see red arrow in the picture).  It is NOT fused to the triquetral bone.  You would see it on the anterior aspect of triquetral.  This bone is sometimes called Triquetrum.  I prefer triquetral because I use the memory trick described in H above.

Figure 13

C is the patella

Figures 14

1. Radius
2. Left—hints, this bone is always on the thumb side when in anatomical position.  Place the head (C) at the elbow, make sure the flat side of the distal end is facing anteriorly (think “flat side toward the front”) and that the radial styloid (D) is oriented to the lateral side of the body and nearest to the thumb.
3. C = head of the radium
4. D = radial styloid or styloid process of the radius or styloid

Figures 15-18

1. Scapula
2. Right—notes, position the flat side of the scapula toward the anterior, which means the spine should be posterior.  Then, make sure the acromion process is lateral.  If it weren’t you feel (and see) huge bumps in the middle of your back next to the spine. When placed correctly and viewed from the posterior, the scapula will look similar to an upside down triangle or the spread wing of a bird (like this:  https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/spread-eagle-randall-branham.jpg)
3. Anterior (which is the flat side)
4. G=spine of scapula or scapular spine
5. H=acromion process (it’s the bump you can feel at the peak of the shoulder joint)
6. I=coracoid process
7. J=glenoid cavity or glenoid fossa  (this is where the head of the humerus sits, forming the ball and socket of the shoulder joint)
8. K= supraspinous fossa (named because is above the scapular spine)
9. L=infraspinous fossa (named because is below the scapular spine)
10. M=subscapular fossa

Figure 19

1. Ulna (often confused with the fibula, so be careful)
2. Left—notes, This bone is on the pinky side of the hand.  Like the fibula, this one can be challenging.  The olecranon (E) should be at the elbow, the radial notch (red arrow) should be in the middle of the arm (this is where the radial head sits which allows you to supinate and pronate the arm).  The styloid process (F) should be towards the medial side of the body and closest to the pinky finger (distal). 
3. E = olecranon process
4. F = ulnar styloid or styloid process of the ulna

Figures 20 and 21

1. Tibia
2. Left—notes, position the bone so that the medial malleolus is on the medial side (this is the part of the ankle you feel on the inside of your ankle joint).  Make sure the condyles are superior.  Make sure the tibial tuberosity and sharply angled anterior crest are facing toward the front.
3. Tibial tuberosity (this is the bump you can feel just below your knee joint)
4. Medial malleolus
5. Medial condyle
6. Lateral condyle

Figures 22 and 23

1. Mandible  (the only bone of the skull that may be on its own, other than for extra credit questions)
2. Mental foramen
3. Mandibular condyle (articulates with the mandibular fossa on the temporal bone)

Figures 24 and 25

1. Frontal/coronal suture
2. Sagittal suture
3. Lambdoidal suture
4. Frontal bone
5. Parietal bone
6. Occipital bone
7. EOP or external occipital protuberance

Figures 26 and 27

1. C=cribiform plate with olfactory foramina (the foramina are the little holes in the cribiform plate)
2. D=sella turcica (this is where the pituitary gland sits)
3. K=mastoid process
4. L=external auditory meatus or external acoustic meatus (this is hole where you’re not supposed to put a q-tip)
5. F=sphenoid bone (superior aspect)
6. J=temporal bone

Figures 28 and 29

1. A=nasal conchae
2. B=perpendicular plate (of the ethmoid bone)
3. G=lacrimal bone (hint, look for the small hole, which is route for tears from the eye to the nose)
4. I=nasal bone (the tape is across the area you would call the bridge of the nose)
5. E=sphenoid bone (superficial / lateral view)
6. H=zygomatic bone
7. J=maxilla

Figure 30

1. H=occipital condyle (this is on the occipital bone and articulates with the superior articulating surfaces of C1)
2. I=foramen magnum (not magnum foramen) (this is on the occipital bone)
3. M=jugular foramen  (these holes are where the two jugular veins exit the skull to bring blood back to the heart)
4. N=carotid canal (this hole is where the common carotid artery enters the skull)
5. O=mandibular fossa (this is on the temporal bone)

Figure 31

1. Costal cartilages
2. Sternum
3. A=manubrium
4. B=body
5. C=xyphoid process (this is the piece of bone  to avoid when doing chest compressions during CPR)

Figures 32 and 33

1. A = Rib 4 (you can name it as rib 4 because the thorax is articulated, allowing you to count ribs in situ)
2. B = a rib (because this is on its own, you don’t need to name it with a number; you could be asked to determine if it’s a true or false rib)

Figures 34 (For vertebra from C3 to L5, you can be asked for region and number if these are articulated.  You would not be given an individual bone and expected to name it as T8, for example  See also notes for Figure 35)

1. A=C4 or 4^th cervical vertebra
2. B= T6 or 6^th thoracic vertebra
3. C=L4 or 4^th lumbar vertebra
4. D=sacrum
5. E=coccyx (not coxal!)

Figure 35  (for B, C, and E you can name the region but will not be expected to name the number of disarticulated vertebra other than C1, C2, and sacrum)

• Bone A = C1 or 1^st cervical vertebra or Atlas  (even when disarticulated, you should be able to recognize and name C1)
• Bone B = a thoracic vertebra (some say it looks like a giraffe when viewed from the side; also notice the sharply angled, thin spinous process)
• Bone C = a lumbar vertebra (notice the big body and big squarish spinous process; some say it looks like a moose when viewed from the posterior;)
• Bone D = C2 or 2^nd cervical vertebra or Axis (the dens of axis is VERY distinctive and a good way to determine which vertebra this is; even when disarticulated, you should be able to recognize and name C2)
• Bone E = a cervical vertebra (the bifid spinous process and the vertebral foramen in the transverse processes are big clues as to the identity of this region’s vertebra)
• Bone F = coccyx
• Bone G = sacrum 

Figure 36—38

1. 1=pedicle
2. 2=vertebral foramen (this is where the spinal cord is located)
3. 3=body or centrum
4. A=dens or odontoid process (this is C2)
5. B=spinous process
6. C=spinous process
7. D= body or centrum
8. 8=beginning of transverse process (4, 5, 6, 8 are labeled on the transverse process)
9. E=transverse foramen (location of vertebral artery)
10. 10=lamina

Figure 39

1. Humerus
2. Posterior view; you can tell by the presence of the olecranon fossa (it’s an indented area on the back of the elbow that you should be able to palpate)
3. Right (the head needs to be medial and the olecranon fossa should be on the posterior side of the bone)
4. A = head
5. B= capitulum
6. C= trochlea
7. D = olecranon fossa (this articulates with the olecranon process of the ulna to form the elbow joint)
8. E = deltoid tuberosity (the insertion point for the deltoid muscle)