How can I remember the difference between the radius and ulna?

A simple trick: the radius is on the thumb side of your forearm. If you hold your arm out with your palm facing up, the radius is the bone on the outside (thumb side). The ulna is on the little finger side. Also, the radius is slightly thicker at the wrist end, while the ulna is thicker at the elbow.

Is the patella a bone in the leg or the knee?

The patella, or kneecap, is a bone located in front of the knee joint. It is not part of the lower leg (tibia/fibula) or the thigh (femur). It sits within the quadriceps tendon and protects the knee joint. So it's best described as a bone of the knee region.

What bones make up the shoulder girdle?

The shoulder girdle, or pectoral girdle, consists of two bones: the clavicle (collarbone) and the scapula (shoulder blade). The clavicle connects the sternum to the scapula, and the scapula sits on the posterior side of the ribcage. Together, they attach the upper limb to the axial skeleton.

Do I need to know the names of individual vertebrae for GCSE PE?

You need to know the vertebral column as a whole (the spine) and its general regions: cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back), lumbar (lower back), sacrum, and coccyx. You don't need to name individual vertebrae like C1 or L4, but you should know that vertebrae are the bones that make up the spine.

How are bone locations tested in the exam?

Bone locations are often tested through diagram labelling questions where you must write the correct name next to an arrow pointing to a bone. You may also be asked to describe the location of a bone in words, e.g., 'Where is the scapula located?' Answer: 'The scapula is located on the posterior side of the shoulder, overlying the ribs.'

Location of major bones

Q: What are the major bones in the human body I need to know for GCSE PE?

For OCR GCSE PE, you need to know the cranium, clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, sternum, ribs, vertebrae, pelvis, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges. Focus on their locations: for example, the humerus is in the upper arm, the femur in the thigh, and the tibia is the shin bone.

OCR

GCSE

This topic covers the structure and function of the skeletal system, including the location of major bones, the functions of the skeleton, types of synovial joints, and the movements possible at hinge and ball and socket joints.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The human skeleton is a complex framework of bones that provides structure, protection, and movement. In OCR GCSE Physical Education, you need to know the location of major bones, including the cranium, clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, sternum, ribs, vertebrae, pelvis, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges. Understanding where these bones are located is essential for analysing movement, identifying injuries, and explaining how the skeletal system works with muscles to produce motion.

This topic forms the foundation for more advanced concepts like joint types, muscle attachments, and lever systems. For example, knowing the humerus is in the upper arm helps you understand how the biceps and triceps work at the elbow. Similarly, locating the femur in the thigh is key to explaining knee and hip movements. Mastery of bone locations also supports your understanding of sports injuries, such as a fractured radius from a fall or a dislocated shoulder involving the scapula and humerus.

In exams, you may be asked to label diagrams, describe the location of bones, or explain their functions. A strong grasp of bone locations will help you answer these questions accurately and confidently. Use mnemonics, flashcards, or palpation (feeling your own bones) to reinforce your learning. Remember, the skeleton isn't just a list of names—it's a dynamic system that enables all physical activity.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The axial skeleton includes the skull (cranium), vertebral column (vertebrae), ribs, and sternum. It protects vital organs like the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs.
→The appendicular skeleton includes the limbs and girdles: the pectoral girdle (clavicle and scapula) attaches the arms, and the pelvic girdle (pelvis) attaches the legs.
→Major bones of the upper limb: humerus (upper arm), radius (thumb side of forearm), ulna (little finger side), carpals (wrist), metacarpals (palm), and phalanges (fingers).
→Major bones of the lower limb: femur (thigh), patella (kneecap), tibia (shin bone, front of lower leg), fibula (thin bone beside tibia), tarsals (ankle), metatarsals (foot), and phalanges (toes).
→Bones are named based on their location and shape; for example, the scapula is a flat bone on the posterior side of the shoulder, and the pelvis is a large, irregular bone at the base of the spine.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Naming and locating major bones: cranium, vertebrae, ribs, sternum, clavicle, scapula, pelvis, humerus, ulna, radius, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals.
Functions of the skeleton: support, posture, protection, movement, blood cell production, storage of minerals.
Definition of a synovial joint.
Articulating bones of the knee (femur, tibia) and elbow (humerus, radius, ulna).
Articulating bones of the shoulder (humerus, scapula) and hip (pelvis, femur).
Movements at hinge joints: flexion and extension.
Movements at ball and socket joints: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Naming and locating major bones: cranium, vertebrae, ribs, sternum, clavicle, scapula, pelvis, humerus, ulna, radius, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals.
Functions of the skeleton: support, posture, protection, movement, blood cell production, storage of minerals.
Definition of a synovial joint.
Articulating bones of the knee (femur, tibia) and elbow (humerus, radius, ulna).
Articulating bones of the shoulder (humerus, scapula) and hip (pelvis, femur).
Movements at hinge joints: flexion and extension.
Movements at ball and socket joints: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Use specific sporting examples to illustrate how the skeleton allows for movement or protection.
💡Ensure you can correctly identify the articulating bones for the four key joints: knee, elbow, shoulder, and hip.
💡Practice linking joint types to the specific movements they allow.
💡When labelling diagrams, always use the correct anatomical terms (e.g., 'cranium' not 'skull' if the specification uses 'cranium'). Be precise with left/right orientation if the diagram shows a specific side.
💡To remember bone locations, use the 'thumb rule': the radius is on the thumb side of the forearm, and the tibia is on the big toe side of the lower leg. This helps avoid confusion in exams.
💡Practice drawing simple stick figures and labelling the major bones. This active recall technique is more effective than passive reading and helps you visualise locations quickly under time pressure.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing articulating bones at specific joints.
Failing to apply skeletal functions to specific sporting examples.
Incorrectly identifying the type of movement occurring at a joint during a specific phase of a sporting action.
Misconception: The radius and ulna are in the upper arm. Correction: The radius and ulna are in the forearm; the humerus is the single bone in the upper arm.
Misconception: The patella is part of the lower leg. Correction: The patella is a sesamoid bone embedded in the quadriceps tendon, located in front of the knee joint, not in the lower leg.
Misconception: The clavicle and scapula are part of the axial skeleton. Correction: They are part of the appendicular skeleton, forming the pectoral girdle that connects the upper limbs to the axial skeleton.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of the human body's directional terms (e.g., superior, inferior, anterior, posterior) to describe bone locations accurately.
•Familiarity with the functions of the skeleton (support, protection, movement, blood cell production, mineral storage) to contextualise why bone locations matter.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Name

Locate

Define

Understand

Apply

Identify

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Location of major bones

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR GCSE Physical Education

Aerobic and anaerobic exercise

Applied anatomy and physiology

Applying the principles of training

Characteristics of skilful movement

How to Revise Location of major bones — OCR GCSE Physical Education

Examiner Tips for Location of major bones

Common Mistakes in Location of major bones

Key Marking Points

Location of major bones

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major bones in the human body I need to know for GCSE PE?

How can I remember the difference between the radius and ulna?

Is the patella a bone in the leg or the knee?

What bones make up the shoulder girdle?

Do I need to know the names of individual vertebrae for GCSE PE?

How are bone locations tested in the exam?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR GCSE Physical Education

Aerobic and anaerobic exercise

Applied anatomy and physiology

Applying the principles of training

Characteristics of skilful movement