The Skull
• Occipital protuberance – A projection on the external surface of the mid-line occipital bone.
Scapula
- Acromion process – Located on the lateral part of the shoulder, right above the shoulder joint.
- Coracoid process – Palpate under the lateral part of the clavicle (about 2 cm below the anterior edge of the clavicle).
- Spine – From the acromio-clavicular joint (AC) joint palpate across the upper part of the posterior surface of the scapula. It is a long thin projection, which runs medial to lateral, at T3 level.
- Medial (vertebral) border – The edge of the scapula closest to the vertebral column (about 5cm from the spinous processes). The medial border runs in a superior-inferior
direction. - Lateral (axillary) border – The lateral (or outer) edge of the scapula located between the inferior angle and the shoulder joint.
- Superior medial angle – Located above the vertebral border or medial aspect of scapula, level T2.
- Inferior angle – Located between vertebral and axillary borders. The “point” at the
bottom of scapula, level T7.
Clavicle
“Collar bone” – anterior from sternum to acromion.
Spinous processes and Iliac crests
- Spinous processes – palpate along the spinous processes. C7 and T1 are the most prominent during forward flexion.
- Anterior iliac crests – Located at the upper margins of the pelvis at L4.
Humerus
- Greater tuberosity – Located just below acromion when arm is resting by the side.
(proximal end of humerus) - Lesser tuberosity – Easiest to palpate with arm in shoulder external rotation. Located
medial to greater tuberosity on proximal end of humerus. - Intertubercular (Bicipital) Grove – Located between greater and lesser tuberosity; easiest to palpate with arm in external rotation.
- Medial and lateral epicondyles – Palpated on medial and lateral sides,
respectively, of distal end of humerus (2 “bumps” on distal end). - Olecranon fossa – indentation on posterior of elbow.
Radius
- Head – From lateral epicondyle of humerus move distally about 2 cm. Head of radius palpated easiest as you pronate and supinate.
- Styloid process – In the anatomic position, styloid is located laterally, just above wrist joint.
Ulna
- Olecranon – “Funny bone” – long protuberance on posterior of elbow.
- Styloid process – In the anatomic position, styloid process is on medial aspect of wrist, also slightly posterior. It is more proximal than radial styloid process.
- Head – On the distal end of ulna. In supination, it can be palpated on medial-anterior aspect of wrist (just proximal to wrist). In pronation, head is the projection on posterior aspect (ulnar side) of wrist
Femur and Patella
- Greater trochanter – lateral aspect of thigh just distal to hip joint.
- Medial and lateral epicondyles – on distal end of femur
- “Knee cap” – anterior aspect of knee.
Tibia and Fibula
- Tibial tuberosity – on proximal end, anterior aspect just below patella.
- Tibial spine – “Shin bone” – anterior ridge along tibia.
- Lateral malleolus – a large protuberance located at the ankle (laterally).
- Medial malleolus – a large protuberance located at the ankle (medially).
Tarsals
- Calcaneus – heel bone.
- Navicular tubercle – On medial border of foot, large bony prominence.
- Head of the talus – Just proximal to navicular tubercle. Palpable with the foot in eversion.
