Tubercle of rib
Encyclopedia
In anatomy, the term tubercle may describe a round nodule
, small eminence
, or wart
y outgrowth found on bone
s or skin, or, in cases of tuberculosis
, in the lungs.
In addition to the types that exist in or on humans (as well as certain other animals) as described below, they are also found on the leading edge of Humpback Whale
's flippers, improving fluid flow over the flipper's surface.
insertions. Within the lungs and on the genitals, tubercles are sites of disease.
in the upper jaw, covered by the gum
. Surgery can be done to make tubercles less prominent.
of the upper arm 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 are located from the top of the acromion laterally and inferiorly.
, 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
.
bacterium. Granuloma
s form in the infected tissue and undergo necrosis
in the centre. Tubercles are also known as tuberculous nodules. For more information see Tuberculosis
.
canal. These eventually coalesce to form the outer ear. Darwin's tubercle
, is a minor malformation of the junction of the fourth and fifth hillocks of Hiss. It is found in a substantial minority of people and takes the form of a cartilaginous node or bump on the rim of their outer ear, which is thought to be the vestige of a joint that allowed the top part of the ancestral ear to swivel or flop down over the opening to the ear.
on a male human fetus
and into a clitoris if the fetus is female.
Nodule (medicine)
For use of the term nodule in dermatology, see Nodule In medicine, a nodule refers to a relatively hard, roughly spherical abnormal structure....
, small eminence
Eminence
-Anatomy:In anatomy, eminence implies a protuberance, and may refer to a variety of structures:*Collateral eminence, alongside the hippocampus in the brain*Cruciform eminence, in the occipital bone of the skull...
, or wart
Wart
A wart is generally a small, rough growth, typically on a human’s hands or feet but often other locations, that can resemble a cauliflower or a solid blister. They are caused by a viral infection, specifically by human papillomavirus 2 and 7. There are as many as 10 varieties of warts, the most...
y outgrowth found on bone
Bone
Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...
s or skin, or, in cases of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, in the lungs.
In addition to the types that exist in or on humans (as well as certain other animals) as described below, they are also found on the leading edge of Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale
The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from and weigh approximately . The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often breaching and slapping the...
's flippers, improving fluid flow over the flipper's surface.
Types
Within the human body there are numerous sites where tubercles develop. On bones they are generally the sites of muscleMuscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
insertions. Within the lungs and on the genitals, tubercles are sites of disease.
Mouth
Tubercles are usually found behind the last molarMolar (tooth)
Molars are the rearmost and most complicated kind of tooth in most mammals. In many mammals they grind food; hence the Latin name mola, "millstone"....
in the upper jaw, covered by the gum
Gingiva
The gingiva , or gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lies over the mandible and maxilla inside the mouth.-General description:...
. Surgery can be done to make tubercles less prominent.
Arms
The humerusHumerus
The humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow....
of the upper arm has two tubercles, the greater tubercle
Greater tubercle
The greater tubercle of the humerus is situated lateral to the head of the humerus and posteriolateral to the lesser tubercle.Its upper surface is rounded and marked by three flat impressions....
and the lesser tubercle
Lesser tubercle
The lesser tubercle of the humerus, although smaller, is more prominent than the greater tubercle: it is situated in front, and is directed medially and anteriorly....
. These are situated at the proximal end of the bone, that is the end that connects with the scapula
Scapula
In anatomy, the scapula , omo, or shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus with the clavicle ....
. The greater/lesser tubercule are located from the top of the acromion laterally and inferiorly.
Legs
The most prominent tubercle of the tibiaTibia
The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
, 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
Medial condyle
Medial condyle can refer to:* Medial condyle of tibia* Medial condyle of femur...
. 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
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
, or patellar ligament.
Other tubercles of the tibia include the medial intercondylar tubercle
Medial intercondylar tubercle
The medial intercondylar tubercle is a protrusion on the intercondylar eminence of the upper extremity of tibia....
, the lateral intercondylar tubercle
Lateral intercondylar tubercle
The lateral intercondylar tubercle is a protrusion on the intercondylar eminence of the upper extremity of tibia....
, and Gerdy's tubercle
Gerdy's tubercle
Gerdy's tubercle is a lateral tubercle of the tibia, located where the fascia lata or iliotibial band inserts. It was named after French surgeon Pierre Nicolas Gerdy ....
.
Lungs
Tubercles in the lungs develop as a result of infection by the Mycobacterium tuberculosisMycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogenic bacterial species in the genus Mycobacterium and the causative agent of most cases of tuberculosis . First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, M...
bacterium. Granuloma
Granuloma
Granuloma is a medical term for a tiny collection of immune cells known as macrophages. Granulomas form when the immune system attempts to wall off substances that it perceives as foreign but is unable to eliminate. Such substances include infectious organisms such as bacteria and fungi as well as...
s form in the infected tissue and undergo necrosis
Necrosis
Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma. This is in contrast to apoptosis, which is a naturally occurring cause of cellular death...
in the centre. Tubercles are also known as tuberculous nodules. For more information see Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
.
Ears
Around the sixth week of gestation, six swellings of tissue called the hillocks of Hiss arise around the area that will form the earEar
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
canal. These eventually coalesce to form the outer ear. Darwin's tubercle
Darwin's tubercle
Darwin's tubercle is a congenital ear condition which often presents as a thickening on the helix at the junction of the upper and middle thirds. The feature is present in approximately 10.4% of the population...
, is a minor malformation of the junction of the fourth and fifth hillocks of Hiss. It is found in a substantial minority of people and takes the form of a cartilaginous node or bump on the rim of their outer ear, which is thought to be the vestige of a joint that allowed the top part of the ancestral ear to swivel or flop down over the opening to the ear.
Genitals
The genital tubercle is a small bump that eventually develops into a penisPenis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
on a male human fetus
Fetus
A fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...
and into a clitoris if the fetus is female.