skeleton of a rat

rib

Thin curved bone articulating with the vertebral column and the sternum.

scapula

Large thin flat shoulder bone articulating with the humerus.

ilium

Large flat back bone articulating with the sacral vertebrae.

patella

Small flat slightly bulging triangular bone located on the inner limb and articulating especially with the femur.

obturator foramen

Opening located in the lower part of the bone formed by the ilium, the ischium and the pubis; it is partly sealed by a membrane and muscles.

femur

Long bone of the hind limb articulating especially with the patella.

pubis

Ventral bone posterior to the ilium.

ischium

Bone behind the ilium; the ilium, ischium and pubis fuse together to form a single bone to which the leg is attached.

phalanges

Bones articulating to form the skeleton of the digits.

metatarsus

Part of the hind limb formed of several long bones; it connects the tarsus to the first phalanges of the digits.

tarsus

Part of the hind limb formed of several small bones at the juncture of the tibia and the metatarsus.

tibia

Long bone partly fused to the fibula and forming the inner limb between the femur and the tarsus.

fibula

Long bone partly fused to the tibia and forming the outer limb between the femur and the tarsus.

costal cartilage

Strong elastic tissue extending the front portion of the ribs to connect them to the sternum.

sacral vertebrae

Partly fused bony parts between the lumbar and caudal vertebrae.

thoracic vertebrae

Bony parts supporting the ribs between the cervical and lumbar vertebrae.

caudal vertebrae

Bony parts comprising the skeleton of the tail located at the terminal end of the vertebral column.

ulna

Long bone partly fused with the radius and forming the inner limb between the humerus and the carpus.

radius

Long bone partly fused with the ulna and forming the outer limb between the humerus and the carpus.

carpus

Portion of the pectoral fin formed of short bones between the radius, the ulna and the metacarpus.

sternum

Elongated flat bone to which the ribs in particular are attached and bearing a crest on its ventral surface.

phalanges

Bones articulating to form the skeleton of the digits.

clavicle

Long bone located in the front ventral portion of the body articulating with the sternum.

humerus

Bone of the forelimb articulating with the scapula, as well as with the radius and the ulna; it provides a large base for the muscles.

atlas

First cervical vertebra supporting the head and supported by the axis.

mandible

Toothed bone forming the lower jaw.

axis

Second cervical vertebra supporting the atlas; it allows the head to rotate.

lumbar vertebrae

Bony parts of the back located between the thoracic and sacral vertebrae.

cervical vertebrae

Bony parts of the neck comprising the upper terminal end of the vertebral column.

metacarpus

Portion of the forelimb formed of several long bones; it connects the carpus to the first phalanges of the digits.

premaxilla

Bone forming the anterior portion of the upper jaw.

parietal

Flat bone of the upper portion of the skull.

maxilla

Toothed bone forming, with the premaxilla, the upper jaw.