The term used for the raised area on a bone that is above a condyle is which?

• A. Epicondyle
• B. Condyle
• C. Process
• D. Tubercle

Answer: (A)

Bone projections are named by where they sit and what they do. An epicondyle is a raised area on a bone that sits above a condyle—the word epicondyle combines epi- meaning “above” with condyle, the rounded knob that forms part of a joint. So the epicondyle is the bump just above the joint surface, often serving as a place for ligaments or muscles to attach. For example, the humerus has medial and lateral epicondyles above the elbow condyles, providing attachment sites for forearm muscles. In contrast, the condyle is the joint-facing knob itself, a process is any projection, and a tubercle is a smaller bump. Therefore, the raised area above a condyle is called an epicondyle.