PreMed: Part Two

Articulation is used in anatomy to refer to the union of two structures that are attached to each other. The articulation of the head of the femur with the acetabulum of the hip bone, for instance, is an articulation.

The maxilla is the upper arcade's home. The lower arcade are attached to the mandible, aka the moveable jaw.

Parietal bones, bilaterally are attached to one another at the sagittal suture - see a superior view of the skull to refresh this concept.

The sternum is formed (from superior to inferior) of the manubrium, sternal body and xiphoid process respectively

The ACJ (acromioclavicular joint) is formed of a prominence of the scapula and the lateral-most clavicle.

You will learn later that a major artery and nerve set run about the surgical neck of the humerus. Thus when you see this common sign on X-ray of the upper limb, you should carry out sensory and motor testing of the regions that neurovasculature supplies.

At this stage in the PreMed course, knowledge of the eight carpal bones is not necessary. We have given one, the scaphoid.

C7, T12, L5, S5, Co1

The spinous process represents the posterior-most portion of the vertebral column. See in the video as we point to the pointy "nose-like" things that protect the posterior spinal cord from penetrating injury - such as a knife attack.

The vertebral body transmits the bulk of weight and force through the vertebral column and thus grows in size as we descend the vertebra.

Ribs 11 and 12 are floating - in that they are not articulating with the sternum either directly or indirectly (via costal margin)

This movement is used to assess enlargement of the liver (eg in cirrhosis of the liver for a chronic alcoholic patient)

The arrow is pointing to the acetabulum formed of the three bones fo the hip articulating together: the ilium, ischium and pubic bones.

Always remember that surface anatomy is vital - it will be assessed quite roguery in OSCEs throughout your time at medical school. And most doctors are NOT surgeons. Thus their actual use of anatomy is from the surface and imaging only. Make sure you know the key bony landmarks for major structures.