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In the human skeleton, a tubercle or tuberosity is a protrusion that serves as an attachment for skeletal muscles. The muscles attach by tendons, where the enthesis is the connective tissue between the tendon and bone. [4] For example, the tibial tuberosity creates an attachment point for the ligamentum patellae, or patellar ligament.
The most prominent tubercle of the tibia, a leg bone which is more commonly known as the shinbone or shankbone, is the tibial tuberosity. The tibial tuberosity is located on the tibia's anterior surface, distal to the medial condyle. It creates a bony prominence just below the patella, and can be easily located with the fingers.
The tibial tuberosity thus forms the terminal part of the large structure that acts as a lever to extend the knee-joint and prevents the knee from collapsing when the foot strikes the ground. [1] The two ligaments, the patella, and the tibial tuberosity are all superficial, easily palpable structures. [2]
Both tubercle and tuberosity refer to a projection or bump with a roughened surface, with a "tubercle" generally smaller than a "tuberosity". These terms are derived from tuber (Latin: swelling)., [8] as is also protuberance, which occasionally is synonymous with "tuberosity".
The greater tubercle of the humerus is the outward part the upper end of that bone, adjacent to the large rounded prominence of the humerus head. It provides attachment points for the supraspinatus , infraspinatus , and teres minor muscles, three of the four muscles of the rotator cuff , a muscle group that stabilizes the shoulder joint .
The lesser tuberosity, is more prominent than the greater: it is situated in front, and is directed medialward and forward. Above and in front it presents an impression for the insertion of the tendon of the subscapularis muscle. [2] Lesser tubercle of the right humerus Insertion of subscapularis muscle on the lesser tubercle
In natatorial (swimming) animals such as the North American river otter, the tubercle is located nearly halfway down the shaft, which allows for powerful limb flexion and extension. The tuberosity can be very pronounced in fossorial (digging) animals, such as the mountain beaver. [6] It is very superficial in horses. [7]
Gerdy's tubercle is a lateral tubercle of the tibia, located where the iliotibial tract inserts. It was named after French surgeon Pierre Nicolas Gerdy (1797–1856).. Gerdy's tubercle is a smooth facet on the lateral aspect of the upper part of the tibia, just below the knee joint and adjacent to the proximal tibio-fibular joint, where the iliotibial tract runs down the outside part of the thigh.