Process (anatomy)

Process
The transverse, articular, mamillary and accessory processes of a lumbar vertebra.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	processus
TA	A02.0.00.028
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

In anatomy, a process (Latin: processus), or apophysis, is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body.^[1] For instance, in a vertebra, a process may serve for muscle attachment and leverage (as in the case of the transverse and spinous processes), or to fit (forming a synovial joint), with another vertebra (as in the case of the articular processes).^[2]

Examples

Examples of processes include:

• The many processes of the human skull:
  • The mastoid and styloid processes of the temporal bone
  • The zygomatic process of the temporal bone
  • The zygomatic process of the frontal bone
  • The orbital, temporal, lateral, frontal, and maxillary processes of the zygomatic bone
  • The anterior, middle, and posterior clinoid processes and the petrosal process of the sphenoid bone
  • The uncinate process of the ethmoid bone
  • The jugular process
  • The alveolar, frontal, zygomatic, and palatine processes of the maxilla
  • The ethmoidal and maxillary processes of the inferior nasal concha
  • The pyramidal, orbital, and sphenoidal processes of the palatine bone
  • The coronoid and condyloid processes of the mandible
• The xiphoid process at the end of the sternum
• The acromion and coracoid processes of the scapula
• The coronoid process of the ulna
• The radial and ulnar styloid processes
• The uncinate processes of ribs found in birds and reptiles
• The uncinate process of the pancreas
• The spinous, articular, transverse, accessory, uncinate, and mammillary processes of the vertebrae
• The trochlear process of the heel
• The appendix, which is sometimes called the "vermiform process", notably in Gray's Anatomy

See also

• Eminence
• Tubercle (anatomy)
• Appendage
• Pedicle of vertebral arch

Notes

1. Dorland's Medical Dictionary
2. Moore, Keith L. et al. (2010) Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 6th Ed, p.442 fig. 4.2

References

• Dorland's Medical Dictionary