Tubercle (bone)
In the skeleton of humans and other animals, tubercles and 'tuberosities are protrusions or eminences that serve as attachments for tendons or ligaments. The enthesis is the connective tissue between the tendon of a skeletal muscle and bone. Tuberosities are generally larger and less rounded than tubercles.
Apophyses', like epiphyses, are regions of bones where ossification occurs throughout chilhood, but unlike epiphyses they are not adjacent to joint surfaces. When ossification is complete, they may become trochanters, tubercles and tuberosities depending on their physical dimensions and location.
Main tubercles
Humerus
The humerus has two tubercles, the greater tubercle and the lesser tubercle. These are situated at the proximal end of the bone, that is the end that connects with the scapula. The greater/lesser tubercule is located from the top of the acromion laterally and inferiorly.Radius
The radius has two, the radial tuberosity and Lister's tubercle.Ribs
On a rib, tubercle is an eminence on the back surface, at the junction between the neck and the body of the rib. It consists of an articular and a non-articular area. The lower and more medial articular area is a small oval surface for articulation with the transverse process of the lower of the two vertebrae which gives attachment to the head. The higher, non-articular area is a rough elevation which gives attachment to the ligament of the tubercle. The tubercle is much more prominent in the upper ribs than in the lower ribs.Tibia
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. It creates an attachment point for the ligamentum patellae, or patellar ligament. Other tubercles of the tibia include the medial intercondylar tubercle, the lateral intercondylar tubercle, and Gerdy's tubercle.Femur
A trochanter is one of up to three tubercles of the femur:- Greater trochanter
- Lesser trochanter
- Third trochanter, which is occasionally present
Fifth metatarsal
Related diseases and conditions
Fractures
The main type of fracture affecting tubercles is avulsion fracture, by pulling the attached tendon.Apophysitis
Apophysitis is inflammation of an apophysis before it has fully ossified to become a tubercle in later childhood. As such, it affects growing children, following repetitive traction of the ligament that attaches to the apophysis. Examples include:- Osgood–Schlatter disease
- Sever's disease
- Sinding-Larsen and Johansson syndrome
Enthesitis