| Backbone: | The backbone of dinosaurs has four different types of individual bones, or vertebrae (singular = vertebra): Each vertebra has a centrum (body) and processes for covering the spinal cord (neural arch, neural spine) and articulating with the vertebra immediately in front of and behind. | |
| Cervical: from the neck – there may be two modified cervicals supporting the skull, or, in the case of Triceratops, a large fused syncervical. | ||
| Dorsal: from the body – dinosaurs do not have separate thoracic and lumbar vertebrae as do mammals | ||
| Sacral: from the pelvis | ||
| Caudal: from the tail – except for the most proximate (to the sacrum), the caudal vertebrae of dinosaurs have articulated, Y-shaped, chevron bones. | ||
| Forelimb: | ||
| Scapulacoracoid: shoulder girdle of dinosaurs | ||
| Humerus: upper arm | ||
| Radius, Ulna: forearm bones (the olecranon of the ulna is the elbow) | ||
| Manus: hand | ||
| Carpals: wrist bones | ||
| Metacarpals: long bones at base of fingers | ||
| Phalanges (singular: phalanx): finger bones | ||
| Ungual: claw or hoof bone | ||
| Hindlimb: | each half of the pelvic girdle has an Ilium, an Ischium, and a Pubis | |
| Femur: thigh bone | ||
| Tibia, fibula: shin bones | ||
| Pes: foot | ||
| Astragalus and Calcaneus or
fused as an Astragalocalcaneus: ankle bones |
||
| Metatarsals: long bones at base of toes | ||
| Phalanges (singular: phalanx): toe bones | ||
| Ungual: claw or hoof bone | ||
| Terms of position: | ||
| Anterior: to the front | ||
| Posterior: to the back | ||
| Proximal: close to the body | ||
| Distal: away from the body | ||
| Dorsal: towards the back | ||
| Ventral: towards the belly | ||
Copyright Pretty Butte Paleontology 2002