Tubercle (bone): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:14, 9 February 2025

A small, rounded projection on a bone

Tubercle is a term used in anatomy to describe a small, rounded projection or protuberance on a bone. Tubercles serve as attachment points for muscles and ligaments, playing a crucial role in the musculoskeletal system.

Structure

Tubercles are typically found on the surface of bones and vary in size and shape depending on their location and function. They are composed of compact bone and are often located near joints, where they provide leverage and support for muscle attachment.

Function

The primary function of a tubercle is to serve as an attachment site for muscles and ligaments. This allows for the transmission of force from muscles to bones, facilitating movement. Tubercles also contribute to the stability of joints by providing additional surface area for ligament attachment.

Examples

Several bones in the human body feature prominent tubercles:

The humerus has the greater and lesser tubercles, which serve as attachment points for the muscles of the rotator cuff.
The femur has the adductor tubercle, which is the attachment site for the adductor magnus muscle.
The ribs have tubercles that articulate with the transverse processes of the vertebrae.

Clinical significance

Tubercles can be involved in various medical conditions. For example, the greater tubercle of the humerus is a common site for rotator cuff tears. Additionally, fractures involving tubercles, such as the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal, can occur due to trauma or overuse.

Related pages

References

Gray, Henry. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edition. Elsevier.
Moore, Keith L., et al. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 7th edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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-'''Tubercle (bone)'''
+{{Short description|A small, rounded projection on a bone}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-A '''tubercle''' is a small, rounded prominence found on a [[bone]] that forms a site for muscle attachment. Tubercles are a common feature in many bones throughout the [[human body]], including the [[humerus]], [[ribs]], and [[vertebrae]]. They play a crucial role in the [[musculoskeletal system]], providing a point of connection for [[tendons]] and [[ligaments]].
+'''Tubercle''' is a term used in [[anatomy]] to describe a small, rounded projection or protuberance on a bone. Tubercles serve as attachment points for [[muscle]]s and [[ligament]]s, playing a crucial role in the musculoskeletal system.
-==Structure and Function==
+==Structure==
+Tubercles are typically found on the surface of bones and vary in size and shape depending on their location and function. They are composed of [[compact bone]] and are often located near [[joint]]s, where they provide leverage and support for muscle attachment.
-Tubercles are typically small and rounded, varying in size and shape depending on the specific bone and its function. They are formed from [[bone tissue]], a type of [[connective tissue]] that provides structural support to the body.
+==Function==
+The primary function of a tubercle is to serve as an attachment site for muscles and ligaments. This allows for the transmission of force from muscles to bones, facilitating movement. Tubercles also contribute to the stability of joints by providing additional surface area for ligament attachment.
-Tubercles serve as attachment points for tendons and ligaments, the fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones and bones to each other, respectively. This function is essential for movement and stability in the body. For example, the [[greater tubercle]] and [[lesser tubercle]] of the humerus bone in the upper arm provide attachment points for several important muscles that move the [[shoulder joint]].
+==Examples==
+Several bones in the human body feature prominent tubercles:
-==Examples of Tubercles==
+* The [[humerus]] has the greater and lesser tubercles, which serve as attachment points for the muscles of the [[rotator cuff]].
+* The [[femur]] has the adductor tubercle, which is the attachment site for the adductor magnus muscle.
+* The [[rib]]s have tubercles that articulate with the transverse processes of the [[vertebrae]].
-===Greater and Lesser Tubercle of the Humerus===
+==Clinical significance==
+Tubercles can be involved in various medical conditions. For example, the greater tubercle of the humerus is a common site for [[rotator cuff tear]]s. Additionally, fractures involving tubercles, such as the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal, can occur due to trauma or overuse.
-The [[humerus]], or upper arm bone, features two prominent tubercles: the greater tubercle and the lesser tubercle. These structures are important sites of muscle attachment for the [[rotator cuff]] muscles, which are essential for shoulder movement and stability.
+[[File:Proximal_fractures_of_5th_metatarsal.jpg|thumb|right|X-ray showing a fracture of the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal.]]
-===Tubercle of the Rib===
+==Related pages==
+* [[Bone]]
+* [[Muscle]]
+* [[Ligament]]
+* [[Joint]]
-Each [[rib]] features a tubercle, which articulates with the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra. This joint allows for the movement of the ribs during [[respiration]].
+==References==
+* Gray, Henry. ''Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice''. 41st edition. Elsevier.
-===Tubercle of the Vertebra===
+* Moore, Keith L., et al. ''Clinically Oriented Anatomy''. 7th edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
-The [[vertebrae]] in the spine also feature tubercles. These structures, known as the transverse and spinous processes, serve as attachment points for the muscles and ligaments that support and move the spine.
-==Clinical Significance==
-Tubercles can be involved in various medical conditions. For example, fractures or other injuries to the tubercles can lead to pain and impaired movement. In addition, certain diseases, such as [[tuberculosis]], can cause the formation of tubercle-like structures in the lungs and other tissues.
-==See Also==
-* [[Bone]]
-* [[Humerus]]
-* [[Ribs]]
-* [[Vertebrae]]
-* [[Musculoskeletal system]]
-* [[Tendons]]
-* [[Ligaments]]
 [[Category:Anatomy]]
-[[Category:Musculoskeletal system]]
-[[Category:Bones]]
-{{anatomy-stub}}
-{{medicine-stub}}